put the squeeze on

Apply strong pressure

To put the squeeze on someone is to pressure them, typically to extract money, information, or compliance.

The image is of applying physical compression until something gives: The loan sharks put the squeeze on him for the money he owed.

It often implies coercion or intimidation rather than polite persuasion.

coerce

pressure

Force upon contact

blackmail · strong-arm · arm-twist · shake-down · muscle · railroad · steamroll · dragoon · press-gang · shanghai

financial

extort

Obtain through coercion

  • bleedLose vital fluid
  • milkMammalian nursing fluid
  • drainChannel for wastewater

fleece · gouge · wring · exploit · bilk · shake-down · racketeer · garnish · foreclose · bankrupt

intimidate

threaten

Promise harm or punishment

cow · terrorize · frighten · overawe · daunt · unnerve · dominate · tyrannize · hound · harass

persuade

cajole

Persuade through flattery

sway · convince · wheedle · sweet-talk · soft-soap · press · push · induce

Opposites
COERCION vs. FREEDOM

put the squeeze onlet off the hook

back off · leave alone · release · cut some slack · let go

DEMANDING vs. YIELDING

put the squeeze ongive freely

let slide · write off · waive

COERCIVE vs. POLITE REQUEST

put the squeeze onappeal to

Seek favor from

entreat · beseech · suggest · propose

Family

puts, putting, putter, squeeze, squeezes, squeezed, squeezing, squeezer

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG