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crank in

Idioms  

  1. Factor in, integrate, as in We'll have to crank in both state and federal taxes when we make our plans. [Slang; 1960s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The old crank in me wished that I laughed harder than I did.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 7, 2025

It’s just a few more turns of the crank in terms of the process.

From The Verge • Dec. 14, 2021

“You put the piece of metal in the lathe, you turn the crank in the direction of the arrow, and you can have a job,” he continued.

From Washington Times • Feb. 16, 2020

I could only conclude that if anyone was a ranting fast-food crank in this situation, it was me.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2019

As if someone has turned a crank in my back, I am propelled forward, one foot in front of the other.

From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.