ratchet

[US]/'rætʃɪt/
[UK]/'rætʃɪt/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

n. toothed wheel or bar with which a pawl engages
Word Forms
Pluralratchets
Past Tenseratcheted
Third Person Singularratchets
Present Participleratcheting
Past Participleratcheted

Phrases & Collocations

ratchet wheel

ratchet effect

ratchet up

Example Sentences

yet another turn in the ratchet of state control over local experimentation.

the Bank of Japan ratcheted up interest rates again.

The Griz sold additional tickets and ratcheted up their marketing campaign based on Iverson's arrival as a free-agent signee in September.

With a basic mechanism in place to internalise the costs of carbon, we can always ratchet up the targets as reality sets in.

She used a ratchet to tighten the bolts.

The ratchet mechanism allows for easy adjustment.

He fixed the broken chair with a ratchet.

The ratchet sound echoed in the garage.

Make sure the ratchet is securely fastened before using it.

The ratchet handle provides a comfortable grip.

The mechanic reached for the ratchet in his toolbox.

She ratcheted up the pressure to finish the project on time.

The ratchet wrench made the job much easier.

He heard the ratchet clicking as he turned the bolt.

Real-world Examples

I think we're too ratchet to win an award.

Source: Idol speaks English fluently.

This time central banks are furiously ratcheting up rates.

Source: The Economist (Summary)

Tehran and Washington ratcheted up the rhetoric.

Source: New York Times

Those kids at rival school Rosemount High are pretty ratchet, huh?

Source: MBTI Personality Types Guide

News of the arrest comes as the U.S. is ratcheting up economic sanctions on Tehran.

Source: PBS English News

And as we said, the oil sanctions are coming. So it could ratchet up.

Source: NPR News August 2018 Compilation

But Black Friday is only the penultimate attempt by retailers to ratchet up their sales.

Source: CNN 10 Student English of the Month

But ratchet pay off sometimes, you feel me?

Source: Idol speaks English fluently.

And instead, he watched those tensions ratchet up even further.

Source: NPR News June 2019 Compilation

How could that possibly ratchet up their chances for success?

Source: DN.A+ L7

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