ratchet
ratch|et /r'ætʃɪt/ (ratchets ratcheting ratcheted)
1 [N-COUNT]
In a tool or machine, a ratchet is a wheel or bar with sloping teeth, which can move only in one direction, because a piece of metal stops the teeth from moving backwards.
The chair has a ratchet below it to adjust the height...
2 [VERB] V, V n
If a tool or machine ratchets or if you ratchet it, it makes a clicking noise as it operates, because it has a ratchet in it.
The rod bent double, the reel shrieked and ratcheted...
She took up a sheet and ratcheted it into the typewriter.
3 [N-SING] with supp
If you describe a situation as a ratchet, you mean that it is bad and can only become worse. (mainly BRIT)
...another raising of the ratchet of violence in the conflict.ratchet down
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If something ratchets down or is ratcheted down, it decreases by a fixed amount or degree, and seems unlikely to increase again. (mainly JOURNALISM)
We're trying to ratchet down the administrative costs...
≠ ratchet upratchet up
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V P
If something ratchets up or is ratcheted up, it increases by a fixed amount or degree, and seems unlikely to decrease again. (JOURNALISM)
...an attempt to ratchet up the pressure...
He fears inflation will ratchet up as the year ends...
≠ ratchet down
1 [N-COUNT]
In a tool or machine, a ratchet is a wheel or bar with sloping teeth, which can move only in one direction, because a piece of metal stops the teeth from moving backwards.
The chair has a ratchet below it to adjust the height...
2 [VERB] V, V n
If a tool or machine ratchets or if you ratchet it, it makes a clicking noise as it operates, because it has a ratchet in it.
The rod bent double, the reel shrieked and ratcheted...
She took up a sheet and ratcheted it into the typewriter.
3 [N-SING] with supp
If you describe a situation as a ratchet, you mean that it is bad and can only become worse. (mainly BRIT)
...another raising of the ratchet of violence in the conflict.ratchet down
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If something ratchets down or is ratcheted down, it decreases by a fixed amount or degree, and seems unlikely to increase again. (mainly JOURNALISM)
We're trying to ratchet down the administrative costs...
≠ ratchet upratchet up
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V P
If something ratchets up or is ratcheted up, it increases by a fixed amount or degree, and seems unlikely to decrease again. (JOURNALISM)
...an attempt to ratchet up the pressure...
He fears inflation will ratchet up as the year ends...
≠ ratchet down