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ratchet
1[rach-it]
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.
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 ordown ).
to ratchet prices up;
Interest rates have been ratcheting downward.
ratchet
2[rach-it]
adjective
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.
ratchet
/ ˈæʃɪ /
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
to increase or decrease, esp irreversibly
electricity prices will ratchet up this year
Hitchcock ratchets up the tension once again
Other 51Թ Forms
- ratchetness noun
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of ratchet1
Origin of ratchet2
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of ratchet1
Example Sentences
Bennet arrived in the Senate 16 years ago and since then, he said, it’s been “really a one-way ratchet down.”
His long, loping stride ratcheted up in rhythm over the final two laps, squeezing lungs and fraying rivals' form behind him.
The U.S. and Israel share another dystopian project as well: ratcheting up fear and suffering to inspire people to “self-deport.”
Michael Yezerski’s winkingly emphatic score juices every scare as the gore keeps ratcheting up — particularly during a moment when Zephyr finds an unexpected way to break out of handcuffs.
At first Gabriel is very happy on the ranch, living with their care pod, but as tensions are ratcheted up with a local militia, they’re increasingly exposed to violence and trauma.
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When To Use
Ratchet is a slang term that can mean "exciting" or "excellent," often used as a term of empowerment among women. Some may also use ratchet for when they are feeling "bad" in some way.The term has been previously used, however, as an insult characterizing a woman as being "overdramatic" or "promiscuous."
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