Ehhhh that's not quite true either.

Above a certain rpm the engine cuts fuel completely and engine braking is strong. In cars with electronic throttle control the computer might also open the throttle to maximize energy consumed compressing air.

As you pass through that cutoff range the engine starts firing again, maybe 700 rpm above idle. Engine braking stops being effective when this happens.

Also, newer cars don't do a full fuel cut when engine braking with a cold engine or if the catalyst is getting too cold to work. So sometimes engine braking isn't very strong.

Basically you can't rely on engine braking so when you're doing it your foot usually hovers on the brake pedal. This isn't any different than the hybrids