A cat darted out in front and the driver slammed on the brakes.
Tips
usage
Used both literally (driving) and figuratively - 经济急刹车 ('the economy slammed on the brakes') for an abrupt policy reversal or downturn. The figurative use is common in business reporting.
mistakes
刹 has two readings: shā (brake, halt) and chà (a moment, as in 刹那 'instant', or in Buddhist 'kṣetra'/temple). Here it must be shā. Don't confuse - many learners pronounce 刹车 as chàchē, but only jíshāchē is correct.
