The phrase "brake the deck" can be used in different contexts such as nautical, construction, or transportation. However, it is always related to stopping abruptly or forcefully. Synonyms that can replace "brake the deck" in a sentence include: slam on the brakes, come to a halt, screech to a stop, hit the brakes, put the brakes on, apply the brakes, grind to a halt, pull up short, anchor the vessel, drop the anchor, and reduce speed. Each of these synonyms carries a slightly different connotation that can be chosen depending on the context in which they are used.