ratchet
/ˈrætʃɪt/
noun
- A device with a wheel or bar that allows movement in only one direction, often used to tighten or loosen things.
- He used a ratchet to tighten the bolts on the car tire.
- The mechanic reached for a ratchet to remove the stubborn nut.
- A ratchet makes it easy to turn a screw without lifting the tool.
- A situation or process that moves steadily in one direction, especially toward a worse condition.
- Once the debt started growing, it became a ratchet that was hard to stop.
- The conflict created a ratchet of increasing violence.
- The arms race was a dangerous ratchet that neither side could easily reverse.
verb
- To move or cause to move in a series of small steps, often in one direction.
- She ratcheted the strap tighter around the luggage.
- The government ratcheted up security after the threat.
- The tension ratcheted up as the deadline approached.