wringer
/'riɳə/
Definition
- Noun:
- A mechanical device for squeezing water out of wet laundry: A "wringer" is a machine, typically consisting of two closely set rollers turned by a crank, through which washed clothes are passed to press out excess water before drying.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- Before electric dryers, people used a wringer to remove water from their laundry.
- She carefully fed the wet sheet through the old-fashioned wringer.
Advanced Usage
- "To put (someone) through the wringer" (Idiom): To subject someone to a very stressful, difficult, or exhausting experience.
- The intense job interview really put him through the wringer.
- The legal battle put the family through the wringer emotionally and financially.
Variants and Related Words
- Wring (verb): To twist and squeeze something, especially to force liquid from it.
- She wrung out the washcloth before hanging it up.
Synonyms
- Mangle (noun): A machine with rollers for wringing water from wet laundry or for pressing fabrics. (Note: A mangle often refers to a larger, heavier device, sometimes used for pressing as well as wringing.)
Related Phrases
- Through the wringer (Phrase): The state of having endured a very trying ordeal. Often used after the verb "to go" or "to be."
- After that week at work, I feel like I've been through the wringer.
Related Idioms
- Put through the wringer: As detailed in the Advanced Usage section, this is the primary idiom associated with the word.
Noun
-
a clothes dryer consisting of two rollers between which the wet clothes are squeezed
