ratchet

Word family

Related topics: Mechanical

ratch·et1 /ˈrætʃɪt/ noun [countableC]

1.TEMa machine part consisting of a wheel or bar with teeth on it, which allows movement in only one direction 〔防止倒转的〕棘轮，棘齿

Examples from the Corpus

ratchet• Just as a ratchet turns easily one way but can not turn back, so genetic defects inevitably accumulate.• A nylon webbing strap is wrapped around the frame and is then tightened using a ratchet action of the clamp head.• Another sinister plot; another twist of the federal ratchet.• The quick turnstiles metered the tokens with a noise of ratchets.• Drive direction can be changed but the ratchet can't be locked out: operation was positive but fiddly.• By the use of the ratchet, the investors agree to share success with the management.• There is a sort of upward ratchet effect where each achievement level becomes the baseline for the next change.

ratchet2 verb

1 ratchet up phrasal verbphr v to increase something by a small amount, especially after a series of increases, or to increase in this way 〔尤指在连续数次提高之后〕（使）小幅增加[提高]

ratchet something ↔ up

Raising the minimum wage would ratchet up real incomes in general.

提高最低工资将普遍提高实际收入。

The debate will ratchet up a notch on Wednesday when the Commission publishes its report.

星期三委员会发表报告后，辩论还将升级。

Examples from the Corpus

ratchet• Raising the minimum wage would ratchet up real incomes where disparities are at their worst and need is most clustered.• Netscape Communications will announce new Internet products for businesses today, ratcheting up the pressure on Microsoft.• And all the time Banks keeps ratcheting up the suspense.

From Longman Business Dictionary

ratchetratch·et1 /ˈrætʃɪt/ noun [countableC]FINANCE

an arrangement in which the value of someone’s share in a company depends on how well the company performs. This is often done where company managers own a share in the company

A ratchet is a mechanism by which investors provide management with an incentive.

ratchetratchet2 verb

→ ratchet something → down

→ ratchet something → up

Origin ratchet1

(1600-1700) French rochet, from Old French rocquet “point of a spear”

ratch·et1 nounratchet2 verb

Chinese

Syllable

Corpus