Phrase guide

handbrake turn

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

An automobile driving manoeuvre where the driver starts turning the vehicle and then pulls on the handbrake to make the rear tyres lose adhesion and thus cause the back of the vehicle to slide around (in the direction of the turn).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: automotive, transport, vehicles

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

An abrupt change of opinion.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: käsijarrukäännös — automobile driving manoeuvre
  • French: dérapage contrôlé — automobile driving manoeuvre
  • Icelandic: handbremsubeygja — automobile driving manoeuvre
  • Macedonian: вртење под рачна (vrtenje pod račna) — automobile driving manoeuvre
  • Finnish: täyskäännös — abrubt change of opinion
  • Finnish: lehmänkäännös — abrubt change of opinion