# squeeze

/ˈskwiz/ (US) · /skwˈiːz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/squeeze
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to press firmly

verb · CEFR B1

to press something firmly from different sides with your fingers or hands.

For teachers: to apply pressure to an object from two or more sides simultaneously, often to change its shape or extract contents.

- You need to squeeze the lemon over the fish to add some flavour.
- The therapist instructed the patient to squeeze the rubber ball repeatedly to rebuild strength in the small muscles of the hand.

### 2. to fit into a space

verb · CEFR B1

to manage to get into or through a very small or crowded space.

For teachers: to force oneself or an object into a confined space; often used with 'into' or 'through'.

- We managed to squeeze six people into the small car for the short trip.
- The hikers had to squeeze through a narrow cleft in the rock face to reach the hidden valley on the other side.

### 3. to hug

verb · CEFR B2

to give someone a quick, tight hug to show you like them.

For teachers: to embrace someone closely or firmly as a gesture of affection.

- She gave her daughter a quick squeeze before she got on the school bus.
- He squeezed her hand reassuringly as they waited for the doctor to announce the test results.

### 4. financial pressure

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

a difficult situation where there is not enough money or space.

For teachers: a period of economic or financial restriction where costs rise or credit becomes difficult to obtain.

- Many families are feeling the squeeze because of rising food prices.
- The central bank's decision to raise interest rates has put a significant squeeze on small businesses looking to expand.

### 5. romantic partner

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang · Informal

a person that someone is dating or in a relationship with.

For teachers: a romantic partner or sweetheart; typically used in the phrase 'main squeeze'.

- He brought his new squeeze to the party to meet his old friends.
- Though he had been dating around for months, he finally introduced her to his parents as his main squeeze.

### 6. mining/geology

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

when the roof or walls of a mine start to close in because of the weight of the earth.

For teachers: the gradual closing of underground workings caused by the weight of overlying rock layers.

- The miners had to leave the tunnel because they noticed a squeeze in the support beams.
- Engineers monitored the squeeze in the lower shafts, concerned that the structural integrity of the mine was being compromised by the shifting strata.

## Examples

- You need to squeeze the lemon to get the juice out.
- The bus was so crowded that we had to squeeze into the back corner to make room for more passengers.
- The central bank's decision to raise interest rates was intended to squeeze inflation out of the economy, though critics feared it would also stifle small business growth.

---

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.