slacken pace

arrest control curb halt prevent reduce stop

baffle bar bit bottleneck bridle checkmate choke circumvent constrain counteract delay discourage foil frustrate harness hold impede inhibit interrupt limit moderate neutralize obstruct obviate pause preclude rebuff repress repulse retard snub squelch stay suppress tame terminate thwart withhold

cut short hold back hold down hold in keep back nip in the bud play for time rein in slow down

aid allow assist continue encourage help let go

abet advance approve facilitate forward free permit release

expedite indulge liberate