squeeze
squeeze — verb
1. to apply strong pressure on something with your hand, causing it to become flatt
to apply strong pressure on something with your hand, causing it to become flatter, more compact, or release liquid inside it
Lien squeezed the tube of toothpaste until the last bit came out.
squeeze + container + until
Sumin squeezed fresh oranges every morning to make juice for the family.
squeeze + fruit + to make + drink
The machine squeezes the grapes so that the juice flows into a large tank.
Heather squeezed the wet sponge over the sink until no more water dripped out.
William squeezed the plastic bottle to get the last drop of shampoo out.
文法句型
squeeze + object
squeeze + object + out/from + noun
用法筆記
Commonly followed by a preposition like 'out', 'from', or 'into' to indicate the result or direction of the pressing.
常見錯誤
2. to put your arms around someone and hold them tightly, usually to show love, com
to put your arms around someone and hold them tightly, usually to show love, comfort, or affection
Gita squeezed her daughter tightly before getting on the train.
squeeze + someone + tightly — common intensifier
Owen squeezed his grandmother's hand when she looked worried.
Tamar squeezed the crying child close and whispered soft words.
When they met at the airport, Eleni squeezed her brother for a full minute.
文法句型
squeeze + someone
squeeze + someone + tightly
用法筆記
Unlike 'hug', squeeze often suggests a brief, extra-tight embrace. Can be used with body parts like 'hand' or 'arm' for a comforting gesture.
3. to push yourself or an object into a gap or passage that is barely wide enough f
to push yourself or an object into a gap or passage that is barely wide enough for it to fit
Esteban squeezed through the narrow gap between the wall and the fence.
squeeze + through + [narrow space]
Four passengers squeezed into the back seat of Takeshi's compact car.
Sade squeezed the heavy suitcase into the overhead compartment with great effort.
Michael squeezed past the people standing in the aisle to reach his seat.
The movers squeezed the large sofa through the narrow doorway by turning it sideways.
文法句型
squeeze + object + into/through something
squeeze into/through/past + noun
用法筆記
Often reflexive ('squeeze yourself into') when the subject is the person who is moving into the tight space. Can also be used with time ('squeeze in a meeting').
常見錯誤
4. to create financial difficulty for a person, company, or industry by limiting th
to create financial difficulty for a person, company, or industry by limiting the money or resources available
Small shops were squeezed when the big supermarket chain opened down the street.
passive: be squeezed + when/because
Many farmers were squeezed between rising fuel costs and falling crop prices.
Higher interest rates squeezed household budgets across the country last year.
Rising rents have squeezed young families trying to save for their first home.
文法句型
be squeezed + by + noun
be squeezed + between + noun + and + noun
用法筆記
Very common in business journalism and economic discussions. Often used in the passive voice (be squeezed). The pattern 'squeezed between X and Y' describes pressure from two sides.
5. to obtain money, information, or a promise from someone by putting strong pressu
to obtain money, information, or a promise from someone by putting strong pressure on them or by threatening them
The detective squeezed a full confession out of the suspect after hours of questioning.
squeeze + [something] + out of + [someone]
Loan sharks squeezed the family for every last dollar they had.
Journalists tried to squeeze more details from the spokesperson at the press conference.
The kidnappers squeezed a huge ransom from the wealthy businessman's family.
文法句型
squeeze + something + out of + someone
用法筆記
This sense always takes a two-part structure: squeeze X out of Y or squeeze X from Y. The object is typically something abstract or valuable like information, money, or a promise.
6. to succeed in doing something by a very small margin or with extreme difficulty
to succeed in doing something by a very small margin or with extreme difficulty
The team squeezed out a narrow 2–1 victory in the final minutes of the game.
squeeze out + [narrow result]
Eleni squeezed through her final exams by studying every night for two weeks.
The new law squeezed through parliament with only two votes to spare.
Sade squeezed past the first round of interviews by answering every question with confidence.
- scrape
more informal; 'scrape through' suggests barely passing
- edge
suggests winning by a very small amount
- narrowly succeed
more formal; describes the outcome directly
- fail
to not succeed
- fall short
to almost succeed but not quite
文法句型
squeeze + through + noun
squeeze + out + noun phrase
用法筆記
Common in sports, politics, and academic contexts. The key nuance is that success is real but was very close to failure. Often used with 'through' (for a process) or 'out' (for a result).
squeeze — noun
1. the action of applying strong hand pressure to something, often to extract liqui
the action of applying strong hand pressure to something, often to extract liquid or make it more compact
Heather gave the tube a firm squeeze and the last bit of paint came out.
give + [container] + a squeeze
A quick squeeze of the lemon added a fresh, sour taste to the fish dish.
a squeeze of + [fruit]
The nurse gave the rubber bulb a gentle squeeze to pump the blood pressure cuff.
With one squeeze of the trigger, the whole lock shattered into pieces.
- press
can be a noun too, but broader; a press can be any push
- compression
more technical, used in engineering and science
文法句型
a + squeeze + of + noun
give + noun + a + squeeze
用法筆記
Often appears in the pattern 'give something a squeeze' or 'a squeeze of something'. The countable use emphasizes a single, deliberate pressing action.
2. an act of putting your arms around someone and holding them tightly as a loving
an act of putting your arms around someone and holding them tightly as a loving or comforting gesture
Sade gave her little brother a warm squeeze before he got on the school bus.
give + someone + a + [adjective] + squeeze
Vivek's grandmother held him in a tight squeeze when he arrived for the holiday.
A quick squeeze from her mother made Eleni feel braver before the performance.
Liam gave his little sister a squeeze and promised to write every week.
文法句型
give + someone + a + squeeze
用法筆記
Similar to 'hug' but suggests a tighter, often more brief embrace. Very common in the pattern 'give someone a squeeze'.
3. a reduction in the amount of money, jobs, or resources that a person or organiza
a reduction in the amount of money, jobs, or resources that a person or organization has available
The company announced a major squeeze on travel and entertainment expenses.
a squeeze on + [expense type]
The budget squeeze forced the local school to cancel its art and music programs.
Small farmers felt the squeeze when the price of grain dropped by nearly forty percent.
The hospital is facing a severe squeeze on staff after the latest funding cuts.
- cut
more direct; a reduction in spending
- reduction
neutral and general
- tightening
suggests making rules stricter, not just reducing quantity
文法句型
a + squeeze + on + noun
用法筆記
Often used with 'feel' ('feel the squeeze') to describe experiencing financial pressure. The phrase 'a squeeze on' specifies what is being reduced.
4. a period when banks and other lenders have little money to lend, making it very
a period when banks and other lenders have little money to lend, making it very hard for people and businesses to borrow
During the credit squeeze, many young families could not get approval for a mortgage.
credit squeeze — financial term
Beatriz's small bakery went under during the worst cash squeeze in a decade.
The economic squeeze of 2023 made it almost impossible for new businesses to get loans.
Economists warned that a liquidity squeeze could slow down the entire housing market.
- credit crunch
more common in everyday news; same meaning
- liquidity crisis
more technical; shortage of cash in the system
- recession
broader; a general economic downturn, not just lending
- credit boom
a period when loans are easy to get
文法句型
a + credit/cash + squeeze
用法筆記
Distinct from sense 3: this specifically describes a macroeconomic credit shortage, not just internal budget cuts. Common compounds: 'credit squeeze', 'cash squeeze', 'liquidity squeeze'.
5. a situation where a large number of people or items occupy an area that is far t
a situation where a large number of people or items occupy an area that is far too small for comfort
It was a tight squeeze with six passengers and a driver in the small van.
a tight squeeze — common idiom for crowded spaces
It was a tight squeeze for fans near the back of the concert hall.
Brandon and his friends endured the squeeze on the rush-hour train every morning.
It'll be a bit of a squeeze to fit six people around that small table.
文法句型
a + tight + squeeze
be + a + squeeze
用法筆記
Very commonly used in the fixed phrase 'a tight squeeze' to describe an uncomfortably crowded situation. Can apply to physical spaces or schedules ('a tight squeeze' time-wise).
6. (informal) a person's boyfriend, girlfriend, or romantic partner
(informal) a person's boyfriend, girlfriend, or romantic partner
Tamar introduced her new squeeze to the whole family at the New Year dinner.
informal: possessive + squeeze = romantic partner
Is your squeeze coming to the barbecue on Saturday? Everyone wants to meet them.
William and his squeeze have been dating for almost two years now.
Rania showed everyone a photo of her new squeeze at the office party.
- boyfriend
more direct and common; specifies gender
- girlfriend
more direct and common; specifies gender
- partner
more neutral and formal; can be any relationship
文法句型
possessive + squeeze
用法筆記
Very informal and slightly playful or old-fashioned. Almost always appears with a possessive (my squeeze, his squeeze, your squeeze).