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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Squeeze: Definition, Usage & Examples (3 meaning)

Meaning 1：press firmly (squeeze)

squeeze 🔊

/skwiːz/

To press something firmly with your fingers or hand, especially to change its shape or get liquid out.

Squeeze definition illustrated by a hand pressing a toothpaste tube.

press firmly 🔊

➕

/ˈprɛs ˈfɜːmli/

To apply pressure to something, typically with your hands or fingers, often to extract liquid or alter its shape.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Middle English 'queysen', likely of imitative origin (sound of pressing).

💡 Mnemonic

Think: SQUEAKY wheel needs grease; you must SQUEEZE the grease tube to apply it.

📖 Example

The child loves to squeeze the soft dough between her fingers. 🔊 The child enjoys pressing the soft dough firmly between her fingers.

🔗 Collocations

squeeze out – to extract liquid or paste by pressing

squeeze tight – to hug or hold with strong pressure

squeeze a lemon – to press a lemon to get its juice

🔄 Synonyms

compress (v.) – to press together into a smaller space

press (v.) – to apply steady force to something

squash (v.) – to crush or flatten something soft

🚫 Antonyms

release (v.) – to stop holding or to set free

expand (v.) – to become larger in size or volume

🌱 Derivatives

squeezer (n.) – a tool used for squeezing juice from fruits

📖 Cultural Story

Etymologically linked to sound and force. Its use expanded from physical compression (squeezing a fruit) to financial pressure ('credit squeeze'), reflecting its conceptual versatility in English.

Meaning 2：fit tightly through (squeeze)

squeeze 🔊

/skwiːz/

To manage to get into or through a small or crowded space with difficulty.

Squeeze meaning shown as a person fitting through a tight space.

fit tightly through 🔊

➕

/ˈfɪt ˈtaɪtli θruː/

To force yourself or an object into or through a space that is barely large enough.

📁 Category：Transportation & Travel 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

We managed to squeeze our car into the tiny parking space. 🔊 We succeeded in maneuvering our car with difficulty into the very small parking spot.

🔗 Collocations

squeeze through – to pass through a narrow gap with effort

squeeze in – to find time for someone or something in a busy schedule

squeeze past – to move by someone or something in a confined space

🔄 Synonyms

cram (v.) – to force too many people or things into a space

wedge (v.) – to fix firmly in a narrow space

shove (v.) – to push roughly

🚫 Antonyms

sprawl (v.) – to sit, lie, or fall with limbs spread out loosely

Meaning 3：put pressure on (squeeze)

squeeze 🔊

/skwiːz/

To put pressure on someone or something to get the maximum benefit or to force them to do something.

Squeeze concept of applying pressure, using a lemon squeezer.

put pressure on 🔊

➕

/ˈpʊt ˈprɛʃər ɒn/

To apply financial, social, or political pressure on someone or something to force a particular outcome or to limit resources.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

High rents and taxes are starting to squeeze small businesses in the city. 🔊 Increasing rents and taxes are beginning to put significant financial pressure on small businesses in the urban area.

🔗 Collocations

profit squeeze – a situation where profits are reduced by rising costs or falling prices

squeeze out – to force someone or something out of a market or position

credit squeeze – a period when it is difficult to borrow money from banks

🔄 Synonyms

pressure (v.) – to attempt to persuade or coerce someone into doing something

constrict (v.) – to limit or restrict something, especially progress or development

pinch (v.) – to cause financial hardship to someone

🚫 Antonyms

relieve (v.) – to alleviate or remove a pressure, burden, or difficulty

subsidize (v.) – to support an organization or activity financially

🌱 Derivatives

squeeze (n.) – a situation where financial or other pressure is applied