squeezeverb/skwiːz/

• 1

  To apply pressure (to something) from two or more sides at once.

  • I squeezed the ball between my hands.
  • Please don't squeeze the toothpaste tube in the middle.
• 2

  To embrace closely; to give a tight hug to.

• 3

  To fit into a tight place.

  • I managed to squeeze the car into that parking space.
  • Can you squeeze through that gap?
• 4

  To remove something with difficulty, or apparent difficulty.

  • He squeezed some money out of his wallet.
• 5

  To barely manage to.

  • I managed to squeeze through the exam with a D.
• 6

  To put in a difficult position by presenting two or more choices.

  • I'm being squeezed between my job and my volunteer work.
  • At a time when Mr. Cameron is being squeezed from both sides — from the right by members of his own party and by the anti-immigrant, anti-Europe U.K. Independence Party, and from the left by his Liberal Democrat coalition partners — the move seemed uncharacteristically clunky.
• 7

  To oppress with hardships, burdens, or taxes; to harass.

  • a Civil War where People must expect to be crush'd and squeez'd in the Consequence
  • However he lost out, as other business interests whom he had alienated by his efforts to squeeze every penny of profit from the canal, supported the construction of the railway.
• 8

  ball-gamesbaseballgamesTo attempt to score a runner from third by bunting.

  • Jones squeezed in Smith with a perfect bunt.

squeezenoun/skwiːz/

• 1

  An instance of squeezing.

  • to give something a squeeze
  • Dip your sponge into the water, tehn turn it over and dip it again. That gets both sides wet. Now give it a squeeze to get most of the water out—but not all of it! You'll get the feel of how much water you need in your sponge as you practice with the clay.
• 2

  A close or tight fit.

• 3

  A difficult position.

  • I'm in a tight squeeze right now when it comes to my free time.
  • There is a growing recognition that, as the population ages and the squeeze on NHS resources continues, better ways of supporting older people outside hospital need to be developed.
• 4

  A hug or other affectionate grasp.

  • a gentle squeeze on the arm
• 5

  slangA romantic partner.

  • I want to be your main squeeze.
  • “No, Mona. Her new squeeze is one of Wage's boys.”
• 6

  slangAn illicit alcoholic drink made by squeezing Sterno through cheesecloth, etc., and mixing the result with fruit juice.

• 7

  ball-gamesbaseballgamesThe act of bunting in an attempt to score a runner from third.

  • The game ended in exciting fashion with a failed squeeze.
• 8

  card-gamesgamesA play that forces an opponent to discard a card that gives up one or more tricks.