From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishratchetratch‧et1 /ˈrætʃɪt/ noun [countable] TEMa machine part consisting of a wheel or bar with teeth on it, which allows movement in only one direction
Examples from the Corpus
ratchet• Just as a ratchet turns easily one way but can not turn back, so genetic defects inevitably accumulate.• A nylon webbing strap is wrapped around the frame and is then tightened using a ratchet action of the clamp head.• Another sinister plot; another twist of the federal ratchet.• The quick turnstiles metered the tokens with a noise of ratchets.• Drive direction can be changed but the ratchet can't be locked out: operation was positive but fiddly.• By the use of the ratchet, the investors agree to share success with the management.• There is a sort of upward ratchet effect where each achievement level becomes the baseline for the next change.ratchetratchet2 verb → ratchet up→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
ratchet• Raising the minimum wage would ratchet up real incomes where disparities are at their worst and need is most clustered.• Netscape Communications will announce new Internet products for businesses today, ratcheting up the pressure on Microsoft.• And all the time Banks keeps ratcheting up the suspense.From Longman Business Dictionaryratchetratch‧et1 /ˈrætʃɪt/ noun [countable]FINANCE an arrangement in which the value of someone’s share in a company depends on how well the company performs. This is often done where company managers own a share in the companyA ratchet is a mechanism by which investors provide management with an incentive.ratchetratchet2 verb → ratchet something → down → ratchet something → up→ See Verb tableOrigin ratchet1 (1600-1700) French rochet, from Old French rocquet “point of a spear” 