SQUEEZE

squeeze |skwēz|verb1 [ trans. ] firmly press (something soft or yielding), typically with one's fingers : Kate squeezed his hand affectionately | [ intrans. ] he squeezed with all his strength.• [ trans. ] extract (liquid or a soft substance) from something by compressing or twisting it firmly : squeeze out as much juice as you can| [as adj. with submodifier ] ( squeezed) freshly squeezed orange juice.• [ trans. ] obtain (something) from someone with difficulty : a governor who wants to squeeze as much money out of taxpayers as he can.• informal pressure (someone) in order to obtain something from them :she used the opportunity to squeeze him for information.• (esp. in a financial or commercial context) have a damaging or restricting effect on : the economy is being squeezed by foreign debt repayments.• ( squeeze off) informal shoot a round or shot from a gun : squeeze off a few well-aimed shots.• ( squeeze off) informal take a photograph : he squeezed off a half-dozen Polaroids.• Bridge force (an opponent) to discard a guarding or potentially winning card.2 [ intrans. ] manage to get into or through a narrow or restricted space : Sarah squeezed in beside her | he found a hole in the hedge andsqueezed his way through.• [ trans. ] manage to force into or through such a space : she squeezed herself into her tightest pair of jeans.• [ intrans. ] ( squeeze up) move closer to someone or something so that one is pressed tightly against them or it : he guided her toward a seat, motioning for everyone to squeeze up and make room.• [ trans. ] ( squeeze someone/something in) manage to find time for someone or something : the doctor can squeeze you in at noon.• [ trans. ] ( squeeze someone/something out) force someone or something out of a domain or activity : workers have been squeezed out of their jobs.noun1 an act of pressing something with one's fingers : a gentle squeeze of the trigger.• a hug.• a state of forcing oneself or being forced into a small or restricted space : it was a tight squeeze in the tiny hall.• dated a crowded social gathering.• a small amount of liquid extracted from something by pressing it firmly with one's fingers : a squeeze of lemon juice.• a strong financial demand or pressure, typically a restriction on borrowing, spending, or investment in a financial crisis : industry faced higher costs and a squeeze on profits.• a molding or cast of an object, or an impression or copy of a design, obtained by pressing a pliable substance around or over it.• informal money illegally extorted or exacted from someone : he was out to extract some squeeze from her.• Bridge a tactic that forces an opponent to discard an important card.• (also squeeze play or suicide squeeze) Baseball an act of bunting a ball in order to enable a runner on third base to start for home as soon as the ball is pitched.2 informal a person's girlfriend or boyfriend : the poor guy just lost his main squeeze.PHRASESput the squeeze on informal coerce or pressure (someone).DERIVATIVESsqueezable adjectivesqueezer nounORIGIN mid 16th cent.: from earlier squise, from obsolete queise, of unknown origin.