ratchet
One-way gear mechanism
A ratchet is a mechanical device with angled teeth that allows movement in one direction only—a wheel or bar clicks forward but can't slip back.
The verb ratchet describes incremental, usually irreversible change: Tensions ratcheted up throughout the negotiations.
In slang, ratchet is an adjective meaning trashy, loud, or lacking class—applied especially to women: That party was ratchet.
The slang likely derives from a mispronunciation of "wretched."
Hinged mechanical stopper
- gearToothed wheel or belongings
- clickBrief sharp noise
- detentMechanism holding position temporarily
- escapementTick-controlling clock component
sprocket · cogwheel · wheel · spring · lock · winding · movement · actuator
Proceeding by degrees
- gradualDeveloping slowly over time
- phasedIntroduced or removed incrementally
- escalationProgressive increase in intensity
- one-wayPermitting single direction travel
irreversible · cumulative · progressive · sequential · staged · successive · upward · intensification
Tool for turning fasteners
- socketHollow receiving cavity
- spannerTool for turning nuts
- handlePart for gripping
- gripSecure manual hold
adjustable · tightening · loosen · mechanic · workshop · repair · fastener · hex
pawl
Hinged mechanical stopper
escapement · sprocket · cogwheel · wheel · spring · lock · winding · movement · actuator · lever
stepwise
Proceeding by degrees
- gradualDeveloping slowly over time
- phasedIntroduced or removed incrementally
- escalationProgressive increase in intensity
one-way · irreversible · cumulative · progressive · sequential · staged · successive · upward · intensification · lock-in
wrench
Tool for turning fasteners
grip · adjustable · tightening · loosen · mechanic · workshop · repair · fastener · hex · crank
tie-down
Strap securing cargo
tighten · webbing · buckle · tensioner · load · trailer · hauling · anchor · lashing · truck
ghetto
Segregated urban quarter
raunchy · hood · drama · wild · ignorant · unrefined · crude · classless · tacky · trifling
- socket toolssocket set, spark plug socket, socket adapter
- build upaccumulate, amass, pile up, snowball, escalate
- hand toolsscrewdriver, wrench, hammer, pliers, saw
- instrumentsguitar, guitars, piano, pianos, drum
- kits and toolsscrewdriver, hammer, wrench, pliers, drill
- mechanical partsgears, levers, pulleys, bearings, springs
ratchetfreewheeling
Acting without restraint
continuous motion · bidirectional · free-wheeling · frictionless
ratchetclassy
Stylishly elegant
elegant · refined · sophisticated · decent · respectable
- ratchet upIncrease incrementally, irreversibly
- ratchet strapsToothed webbing for securing cargo
- ratchet wrenchTool with clicking mechanism
- Ratchet and ClankAction platformer franchise protagonists
- ratchet wrenchesOne-direction bolt turners