wringer

American  

[ring-er] / ˈrɪŋ ər /

noun

1. an apparatus or machine for squeezing liquid out of anything wet, such as a pair of rollers between which an article of wet clothing may be squeezed.

2. a painful, difficult, or tiring experience; ordeal.

   Their years-long disagreement was an emotional wringer that hurt them both deeply.

3. a person or thing that wrings.

   My father is a real worrier—a wringer of hands and a pacer of floors.

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idioms

1. through the wringer,

   1. through acute suffering or hardship.

      He’s really been through the wringer with his child’s illness.

      A series of disasters put her family through the wringer financially.

   2. through rigorous testing, examination, or trial.

      Our numbers have been run through the wringer every which way, and it still looks like some cuts will be needed.

      Keep an eye out for a full review once we put this racing bike through the wringer.

wringer British  

/ ˈrɪŋə /

noun

1. another name for mangle 2

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wringer More Idioms  

1. see under put through (the wringer).

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Etymology

Origin of wringer

First recorded in 1250–1300; wring ( def. ) + -er ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

wringer

DC has already been through the wringer, and taking too big a swing could prove a major loss just as the DCU is finding its footing.

From Salon ● Jun. 27, 2026

DC Studios has already been through the wringer, and taking too big a swing could prove a major loss just as the DCU is finding its footing.

From Salon ● Jun. 27, 2026

Fans, who've already been through the wringer, will be watching with even more trepidation than usual.

From BBC ● May 9, 2026

There is nothing to boo about that, but the Tartan Army had just been put through the wringer as they watched their side struggle against the world's 100th-best national team.

From BBC ● Nov. 12, 2025

I stuck the mop head into the wringer.

From "Bud, Not Buddy" by Christopher Paul Curtis

Related Words

• inquiry
• investigation
• query
• questioning