1.
brake, stopper, chock
A mechanical device used to prevent wheels from turning or a vehicle from moving. Originally referred to wheel chocks.
車に歯止めをかける。
Put the brake on the car.
坂道で歯止めを使う。
Use a wheel chock on a slope.
駐車中は歯止めが必要だ。
A wheel chock is necessary when parking.
2.
check, restraint, brake
Something that stops or limits an undesirable trend or action. Often used figuratively to describe measures that prevent escalation or deterioration.
物価上昇に歯止めがかからない。
There's no stopping the rise in prices.
暴力に歯止めをかけるべきだ。
We should put a stop to violence.
環境破壊に歯止めをかけないと、取り返しがつかなくなる。
If we don't put the brakes on environmental destruction, it will become irreversible.
歯止め originally referred to wheel chocks but is now commonly used figuratively to mean putting a check on something.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 歯止めをかける (put the brakes on, put a stop to)
- 歯止めがかからない (there's no stopping)
- 歯止めが利かない (can't be restrained)
- 歯止めになる (serve as a restraint)
USAGE NOTE: The figurative sense (sense 2) is more common in everyday usage. Often used in news and discussions about social issues.