Squeezing: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when applying pressure to make something smaller or to extract liquid from an object, often with hands.

• She was squeezing the juice out of the lemon.
• He felt a squeezing sensation in his chest.

Commonly used when applying continuous force to achieve a result, like creating prints or ironing clothes.

• She pressed the button to start the machine.
• He carefully pressed his shirt for the interview.

Typically used in technical or medical contexts to describe the act of pressing something into a smaller space or reducing size.

• They used a machine to compress the cardboard.
• She applied a cold compress to the injury.

Often used to describe removing a substance or element from a mixture, usually involving a process or technique.

• The scientist was able to extract DNA from the sample.
• He tried to extract the splinter from his finger.

Used to describe the action of firmly compressing something from different sides, typically with hands or a tool.

• She was squeezing the toothpaste tube to get the last bit out.
• I felt a squeezing sensation in my chest.

Refers to the continuous physical force exerted on or against an object by something in contact with it, or the feeling of stress or urgency. Can have negative connotations when referring to stress.

• He felt a lot of pressure to meet the deadline.
• The water pressure in the shower was just right.

Often used in a medical or scientific context to refer to the narrowing of a passage or vessel, or in situations where something is being tightened or restricted.

• The doctor noted a constriction in the patient's airway.
• Constriction of blood vessels can lead to increased blood pressure.

Informal phrase used to describe a difficult or challenging situation, often implying that solutions are hard to find. It has a mildly negative connotation.

• He's in a tight spot after losing his job.
• She found herself in a tight spot when she missed the last train home.