Definition

1. Noun:

   • The act of pressing something firmly: The action of applying pressure, typically with your fingers or hand.
   • A tight or affectionate hug: A close, often loving, embrace.
   • A difficult situation caused by scarcity or restriction: A situation where there is pressure due to limited space, money, or resources.
   • (Informal) A romantic partner: A person's girlfriend or boyfriend.

2. Verb:

   • To press something firmly, especially from opposite sides: To apply pressure to something, often to change its shape or extract liquid.
   • To fit into a tight space by applying pressure: To force yourself or something into a small or crowded space.
   • To obtain something with difficulty or pressure: To get something, such as money or information, by applying pressure or coercion.
   • To hug someone tightly: To hold someone close in your arms.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • He gave the orange a hard squeeze to get the juice out.
  • She gave her son a loving squeeze before he left for school.
  • The company is feeling a financial squeeze this quarter.
  • (Slang) He went to the party with his main squeeze.

• Verb:

  • Please squeeze the toothpaste from the bottom of the tube.
  • She managed to squeeze her suitcase into the overhead compartment.
  • The mobsters tried to squeeze money from the shopkeeper.
  • He squeezed her hand to reassure her.

Advanced Usage

• "to squeeze in": To manage to find time for someone or something despite a busy schedule.

  • My schedule is packed, but I can squeeze in a quick meeting at 3 PM.

• "to squeeze out": To force someone or something out, often through competition or pressure.

  • The larger company is trying to squeeze out the smaller competitors.

• "to put the squeeze on (someone)": To put pressure on someone to do something.

  • The creditors are putting the squeeze on the business to repay its loans.

Variants and Related Words

• Squeezer (n): A tool or device used for squeezing, especially for extracting juice.

  • She used a lemon squeezer to make fresh lemonade.

• Squeezy (adj, informal): Easy to squeeze; soft and pliable.

  • The baby loves the squeezy bath toy.

Synonyms

• Compress (v): To press something into a smaller space.
• Hug (v/n): To hold someone closely in one's arms.
• Pinch (v): To grip something, typically someone's flesh, tightly between finger and thumb.
• Crush (v): To deform, pulverize, or force in by compressing forcefully.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Squeeze by/past: To manage to get past something with difficulty in a tight space.

  • I had to turn sideways to squeeze past the large furniture in the hallway.

• Squeeze through: To barely succeed in passing a test, examination, or difficult situation.

  • He didn't study much but somehow squeezed through the final exam.

Related Idioms

• A tight squeeze: A situation where space is very limited or a situation is difficult.

  • Parking the large truck in that small spot was a tight squeeze.

• Squeeze blood from a stone: To try to get something (especially money) from someone who has none to give; an impossible task.

  • Getting him to donate is like trying to squeeze blood from a stone.

Noun

1. the act of forcing yourself (or being forced) into or through a restricted space
   • getting through that small opening was a tight squeeze
2. a tight or amorous embrace
   • come here and give me a big hug
3. an aggressive attempt to compel acquiescence by the concentration or manipulation of power
   • she laughed at this sexual power play and walked away
4. a twisting squeeze
   • gave the wet cloth a wring
5. (slang) a person's girlfriend or boyfriend
   • she was his main squeeze
6. a situation in which increased costs cannot be passed on to the customer
   • increased expenses put a squeeze on profits
7. a state in which there is a short supply of cash to lend to businesses and consumers and interest rates are high
8. the act of gripping and pressing firmly
   • he gave her cheek a playful squeeze

Verb

1. squeeze or press together
   • she compressed her lips
   • the spasm contracted the muscle
2. squeeze (someone) tightly in your arms, usually with fondness
   • Hug me, please
   • They embraced
   • He hugged her close to him
3. squeeze tightly between the fingers
   • He pinched her behind
   • She squeezed the bottle
4. press or force
   • Stuff money into an envelope
   • She thrust the letter into his hand
5. obtain by coercion or intimidation
   • They extorted money from the executive by threatening to reveal his past to the company boss
   • They squeezed money from the owner of the business by threatening him
6. to cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means :"She forced him to take a job in the city"
   • He squeezed her for information
7. squeeze like a wedge into a tight space
   • I squeezed myself into the corner
8. press firmly
   • He squeezed my hand
9. to compress with violence, out of natural shape or condition
   • crush an aluminum can
   • squeeze a lemon