ratchet

[ rach-it ]

/ ˈrætʃ ɪt /

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See synonyms for ratchet on Thesaurus.com

noun

a toothed bar with which a pawl engages.

(not in technical use) a pawl or the like used with a ratchet or ratchet wheel.

a mechanism consisting of such a bar or wheel with the pawl.

ratchet wheel.

a steady progression up or down: the upward ratchet of oil prices.

verb (used with or without object)

to move by degrees (often followed by up or down): to ratchet prices up; Interest rates have been ratcheting downward.

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of ratchet

First recorded in 1650–60; alteration of French rochet; Middle French rocquet “a blunt lance-head,” from Germanic; compare Old High German rocko, roccho “distaff”

Other definitions for ratchet (2 of 2)

ratchet²

[ rach-it ]

/ ˈrætʃ ɪt /

adjective Slang.

flashy, unrefined, etc.; low-class: ratchet girls wearing too much makeup.

exhibiting or affirming low-class traits in a way that is considered authentic: Better to stay a ratchet bitch than become a bougie poser like her.

extremely good; awesome.

Also ratched

[racht] /rætʃt/ .

Origin of ratchet

First recorded in 1990–95; from a dance and genre of hip-hop music originating in Shreveport, Louisiana

OTHER WORDS FROM ratchet

ratch·et·ness, noun

How to use ratchet in a sentence

Even the best and most aggressive in the regular season seem to ratchet things down when the single-elimination tournament begins.
Some Coaches Shy Away From Risk In The Playoffs. Not Andy Reid.|Josh Hermsmeyer|January 22, 2021|FiveThirtyEight
So, that’s a case where there could be large environmental and economic gains from ratcheting down the disgust — maybe even geopolitical gains, considering that water scarcity is a source of great friction in many places.
The Downside of Disgust (Ep. 448)|Stephen J. Dubner|January 21, 2021|Freakonomics
This means that the bet on expected future liquidity from venture capitalists and other private investors keeps ratcheting higher.
Fintech startups and unicorns had a stellar Q4 2020|Alex Wilhelm|January 20, 2021|TechCrunch
“Everybody needs to take a deep breath and really ratchet down the rhetoric,” he said.
Northam calls for end to death penalty, addressing racial inequity as lawmakers return to Richmond|Gregory S. Schneider, Laura Vozzella|January 14, 2021|Washington Post

In the late 1840s, however, enslavers ratcheted up their demands for strong federal protections for slavery.
Mitch McConnell has repeated Stephen A. Douglas’s biggest mistake|Lauren Haumesser|January 12, 2021|Washington Post
As the equality movement found a renewed focus and determination, so its opponents ratcheted up their efforts to scupper it.
How Robin Williams’ Mrs. Doubtfire Won the Culture Wars|Tim Teeman|August 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
First, Republican legislatures have ratcheted up the attempts at suppression.
Why Judge Posner Changed His Mind On Voter ID Laws|Richard L. Hasen|October 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The foreign and Arab investments ratcheted up from $115 million in 2001 to $1.6 billion in 2006.
In Syria, Follow the Money to Find the Roots of the Revolt|Majid Rafizadeh|April 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
That noise you hear is expectations being ratcheted up higher—not just for auto sales or for corporate profits.
Economic Data Show That, at Last, (Many of) the Fundamentals Are Sound|Daniel Gross|April 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The IMF ratcheted down its estimate for global growth this week.
The Business/Consumer Confidence Split|Matthew Zeitlin|October 10, 2012|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for ratchet

ratchet

/ (ˈrætʃɪt) /

noun

a device in which a toothed rack or wheel is engaged by a pawl to permit motion in one direction only

the toothed rack or wheel forming part of such a device

verb

to operate using a ratchet

(usually foll by up or down) to increase or decrease, esp irreversiblyelectricity prices will ratchet up this year; Hitchcock ratchets up the tension once again

Word Origin for ratchet

C17: from French rochet, from Old French rocquet blunt head of a lance, of Germanic origin: compare Old High German rocko distaff

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

ratchet

Origin of ratchet

Other definitions for ratchet (2 of 2)

Origin of ratchet

OTHER WORDS FROM ratchet

Words related to ratchet

How to use ratchet in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ratchet

Word Origin for ratchet