# ratchet

/ˈɹætʃət/ (US) · /ɹˈætʃɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ratchet
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. mechanical tool

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

a tool or part of a machine that allows movement in only one direction.

For teachers: a mechanism consisting of a pawl and a toothed wheel that permits motion in one direction while preventing it in the other.

- He used a ratchet to tighten the bolts on the bicycle wheel.
- The mechanic selected a socket ratchet to work in the cramped engine bay, where the limited swing space prevented the use of a standard wrench.

### 2. one-way process

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

a situation or rule that seems to move only in one direction, usually going up.

For teachers: a process or policy perceived as moving irreversibly in one direction, typically involving a steady increase in costs, regulations, or intensity.

- The price of housing has become a ratchet that only ever goes up.
- Economists describe the 'ratchet effect' where government spending increases during crises but fails to return to previous levels once the emergency subsides.

### 3. to increase steadily

verb · CEFR B2

to increase or decrease something by small amounts, often in a way that cannot be undone.

For teachers: to cause something to rise or fall by degrees; frequently used with 'up' or 'down' to indicate incremental change.

- The central bank decided to ratchet up interest rates to fight inflation.
- The tension between the two nations continued to ratchet up as both sides moved additional troops toward the disputed border.

## Examples

- He used a ratchet to tighten the bolts on the bike.
- The mechanic reached for a socket wrench with a fine-tooth ratchet to work in the cramped engine bay.
- Economists often describe the 'ratchet effect' in government spending, where outlays increase during crises but rarely return to previous levels once the emergency has passed.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.