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squeeze

v. · n.
US //ˈskwiz// UK //skwˈiːz// squeeze
  1. 1 to press firmly (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

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

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

    Example

    You need to squeeze the lemon over the fish to add some flavour.

    Example

    The therapist instructed the patient to squeeze the rubber ball repeatedly to rebuild strength in the small muscles of the hand.
  2. 2 to fit into a space (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

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

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

    Example

    We managed to squeeze six people into the small car for the short trip.

    Example

    The hikers had to squeeze through a narrow cleft in the rock face to reach the hidden valley on the other side.
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  1. 3 to hug (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

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

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

    Example

    She gave her daughter a quick squeeze before she got on the school bus.

    Example

    He squeezed her hand reassuringly as they waited for the doctor to announce the test results.
  2. 4 financial pressure (n.)
    C1 Advanced Academic

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

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

    Example

    Many families are feeling the squeeze because of rising food prices.

    Example

    The central bank's decision to raise interest rates has put a significant squeeze on small businesses looking to expand.
  3. 5 romantic partner (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Slang Informal

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

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

    Example

    He brought his new squeeze to the party to meet his old friends.

    Example

    Though he had been dating around for months, he finally introduced her to his parents as his main squeeze.
  4. 6 mining/geology (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Science

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

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

    Example

    The miners had to leave the tunnel because they noticed a squeeze in the support beams.

    Example

    Engineers monitored the squeeze in the lower shafts, concerned that the structural integrity of the mine was being compromised by the shifting strata.
Origin

From earlier squize, squise (whence also dialectal English squizzen and squeege), first attested around 1600, further origin uncertain; probably an alteration of quease (which is attested since 1550), from Middle English queisen (“to squeeze”), from Old English cwȳsan (“to crush, squeeze”), itself also of unknown origin, perhaps imitative (compare Swedish qväsa, kväsa (“to squeeze, bruise, crush; quell”), Dutch kwetsen (“to injure, hurt”), German quetschen (“to squeeze”)). Or, a blend of obsolete squiss (“to squeeze”) (whence also squash and squish) with quease. Compare also French esquicher from Old Occitan esquichar (“to press, squeeze”). The slang expression "to put the squeeze on (someone or something)", meaning "to exert influence", is from 1711. The baseball term "squeeze play" is first recorded 1905. "Main squeeze" ("most important person") is attested from 1896, the specific meaning "one's sweetheart, lover" is attested in 1970s. The nonstandard strong forms squoze and squozen, attested dialectally since at least the mid-19th century, are by analogy with freeze.

Idioms2 entries

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