squeeze
/skwiːz/ (bre, ipa) · /skwiːz/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈskwēz/ (ame, mw)
squeeze — 動詞
- squeezepresent simple I / you / we / they
- squeezeshe / she / it
- squeezedpast simple
- squeezing-ing form
1. to apply strong pressure on something with your hand, causing it to become flatt
擠壓；壓榨
用手或手指用力按壓
to apply strong pressure on something with your hand, causing it to become flatter, more compact, or release liquid inside it
Lien squeezed the tube of toothpaste until the last bit came out.
Lien 用力擠壓牙膏管，直到最後一點牙膏跑出來。
squeeze + container + until
Sumin squeezed fresh oranges every morning to make juice for the family.
Sumin 每天早上都會擠新鮮柳橙，幫家人做果汁。
squeeze + fruit + to make + drink
The machine squeezes the grapes so that the juice flows into a large tank.
這台機器壓榨葡萄，讓果汁流進一個大桶子裡。
Heather squeezed the wet sponge over the sink until no more water dripped out.
Heather 在洗手槽上方用力擠壓濕海綿，直到沒有水滴出來為止。
William squeezed the plastic bottle to get the last drop of shampoo out.
William 用力擠壓塑膠瓶，把最後一滴洗髮精擠出來。
文法句型
squeeze + object
squeeze + object + out/from + noun
用法筆記
Commonly followed by a preposition like 'out', 'from', or 'into' to indicate the result or direction of the pressing.
常見錯誤
2. to put your arms around someone and hold them tightly, usually to show love, com
緊抱；擁抱
用力抱住某人表達感情
to put your arms around someone and hold them tightly, usually to show love, comfort, or affection
Gita squeezed her daughter tightly before getting on the train.
Gita 在上火車前緊緊抱住女兒。
squeeze + someone + tightly — common intensifier
Owen squeezed his grandmother's hand when she looked worried.
Owen 看到祖母一臉擔憂，便緊緊握住她的手。
Tamar squeezed the crying child close and whispered soft words.
Tamar 把哭泣的孩子緊緊摟在懷裡，輕聲說著安慰的話。
When they met at the airport, Eleni squeezed her brother for a full minute.
他們在機場見面時，Eleni 緊緊抱住哥哥長達一分鐘之久。
文法句型
squeeze + someone
squeeze + someone + tightly
用法筆記
Unlike 'hug', squeeze often suggests a brief, extra-tight embrace. Can be used with body parts like 'hand' or 'arm' for a comforting gesture.
3. to push yourself or an object into a gap or passage that is barely wide enough f
擠進；塞入
勉強進入或放進狹小空間
to push yourself or an object into a gap or passage that is barely wide enough for it to fit
Esteban squeezed through the narrow gap between the wall and the fence.
Esteban 從牆壁和籬笆之間的窄縫擠了過去。
squeeze + through + [narrow space]
Four passengers squeezed into the back seat of Takeshi's compact car.
四位乘客擠進了 Takeshi 小轎車的後座。
Sade squeezed the heavy suitcase into the overhead compartment with great effort.
Sade 費了好大一番功夫才把沉重的行李箱塞進頭頂的置物櫃。
Michael squeezed past the people standing in the aisle to reach his seat.
Michael 從站在走道上的人群旁邊擠過去，才找到自己的座位。
The movers squeezed the large sofa through the narrow doorway by turning it sideways.
搬家工人把大沙發轉了個方向，才勉強從狹窄的門口塞進去。
文法句型
squeeze + object + into/through something
squeeze into/through/past + noun
用法筆記
Often reflexive ('squeeze yourself into') when the subject is the person who is moving into the tight space. Can also be used with time ('squeeze in a meeting').
常見錯誤
4. to create financial difficulty for a person, company, or industry by limiting th
壓縮；緊縮
限制資金導致財務困難
to create financial difficulty for a person, company, or industry by limiting the money or resources available
Small shops were squeezed when the big supermarket chain opened down the street.
大賣場連鎖店在街尾開幕後，小商店的利潤就被壓縮了。
passive: be squeezed + when/because
Many farmers were squeezed between rising fuel costs and falling crop prices.
許多農民在燃料成本上漲和農作物價格下跌的雙重壓力下喘不過氣。
Higher interest rates squeezed household budgets across the country last year.
去年利率調升，壓縮了全國許多家庭的預算。
Rising rents have squeezed young families trying to save for their first home.
租金不斷上漲，讓想要存錢買第一間房子的年輕家庭財務壓力很大。
文法句型
be squeezed + by + noun
be squeezed + between + noun + and + noun
用法筆記
Very common in business journalism and economic discussions. Often used in the passive voice (be squeezed). The pattern 'squeezed between X and Y' describes pressure from two sides.
5. to obtain money, information, or a promise from someone by putting strong pressu
逼取；榨取
施加壓力強行取得某物
to obtain money, information, or a promise from someone by putting strong pressure on them or by threatening them
The detective squeezed a full confession out of the suspect after hours of questioning.
偵探經過好幾個小時的訊問，終於從嫌疑犯口中逼出了完整的供詞。
squeeze + [something] + out of + [someone]
Loan sharks squeezed the family for every last dollar they had.
地下錢莊從這個家庭身上榨乾了最後一塊錢。
Journalists tried to squeeze more details from the spokesperson at the press conference.
記者在記者會上試圖從發言人那裡挖出更多細節。
The kidnappers squeezed a huge ransom from the wealthy businessman's family.
綁匪從那位富商的家屬手中勒索了巨額贖金。
文法句型
squeeze + something + out of + someone
用法筆記
This sense always takes a two-part structure: squeeze X out of Y or squeeze X from Y. The object is typically something abstract or valuable like information, money, or a promise.
6. to succeed in doing something by a very small margin or with extreme difficulty
勉強過關
以極小差距或極大困難成功
to succeed in doing something by a very small margin or with extreme difficulty
The team squeezed out a narrow 2–1 victory in the final minutes of the game.
這支球隊在比賽最後幾分鐘驚險地以二比一獲勝。
squeeze out + [narrow result]
Eleni squeezed through her final exams by studying every night for two weeks.
Eleni 連續兩個禮拜每天晚上苦讀，才勉強通過期末考。
The new law squeezed through parliament with only two votes to spare.
這項新法案在議會以僅僅兩票之差驚險過關。
Sade squeezed past the first round of interviews by answering every question with confidence.
Sade 自信地回答了每一個問題，驚險地通過了第一輪面試。
- scrape
more informal; 'scrape through' suggests barely passing
- edge
suggests winning by a very small amount
- narrowly succeed
more formal; describes the outcome directly
- fail
to not succeed
- fall short
to almost succeed but not quite
文法句型
squeeze + through + noun
squeeze + out + noun phrase
用法筆記
Common in sports, politics, and academic contexts. The key nuance is that success is real but was very close to failure. Often used with 'through' (for a process) or 'out' (for a result).
squeeze — 名詞
- squeezesingular
- squeezesplural
1. the action of applying strong hand pressure to something, often to extract liqui
按壓；擠壓
用手用力按壓的動作
the action of applying strong hand pressure to something, often to extract liquid or make it more compact
Heather gave the tube a firm squeeze and the last bit of paint came out.
Heather 用力按壓了一下管子，最後一點顏料就擠出來了。
give + [container] + a squeeze
A quick squeeze of the lemon added a fresh, sour taste to the fish dish.
快速擠一下檸檬，替魚料理增添了一股清新的酸味。
a squeeze of + [fruit]
The nurse gave the rubber bulb a gentle squeeze to pump the blood pressure cuff.
護士輕輕按壓橡膠球，幫血壓計充氣。
With one squeeze of the trigger, the whole lock shattered into pieces.
只扣一下板機，整個鎖就碎裂成好幾塊。
- press
can be a noun too, but broader; a press can be any push
- compression
more technical, used in engineering and science
文法句型
a + squeeze + of + noun
give + noun + a + squeeze
用法筆記
Often appears in the pattern 'give something a squeeze' or 'a squeeze of something'. The countable use emphasizes a single, deliberate pressing action.
2. an act of putting your arms around someone and holding them tightly as a loving
擁抱；緊抱
表達感情的親密擁抱
an act of putting your arms around someone and holding them tightly as a loving or comforting gesture
Sade gave her little brother a warm squeeze before he got on the school bus.
Sade 在上校車前給弟弟一個溫暖的擁抱。
give + someone + a + [adjective] + squeeze
Vivek's grandmother held him in a tight squeeze when he arrived for the holiday.
Vivek 的祖母在他回來過節時，緊緊地抱住他。
A quick squeeze from her mother made Eleni feel braver before the performance.
媽媽快速抱了她一下，讓 Eleni 在表演前更有勇氣。
Liam gave his little sister a squeeze and promised to write every week.
Liam 緊緊抱了妹妹一下，答應每週都會寫信給她。
文法句型
give + someone + a + squeeze
用法筆記
Similar to 'hug' but suggests a tighter, often more brief embrace. Very common in the pattern 'give someone a squeeze'.
3. a reduction in the amount of money, jobs, or resources that a person or organiza
縮減；壓縮
資金、工作或資源的減少
a reduction in the amount of money, jobs, or resources that a person or organization has available
The company announced a major squeeze on travel and entertainment expenses.
公司宣布大幅縮減差旅費和辦公用品開支。
a squeeze on + [expense type]
The budget squeeze forced the local school to cancel its art and music programs.
預算緊縮迫使當地學校取消了美術和音樂課程。
Small farmers felt the squeeze when the price of grain dropped by nearly forty percent.
穀物價格大跌將近四成，小農們感受到了財務壓力。
The hospital is facing a severe squeeze on staff after the latest funding cuts.
最新一輪的經費削減之後，這家醫院正面臨嚴重的人力緊縮。
- cut
more direct; a reduction in spending
- reduction
neutral and general
- tightening
suggests making rules stricter, not just reducing quantity
文法句型
a + squeeze + on + noun
用法筆記
Often used with 'feel' ('feel the squeeze') to describe experiencing financial pressure. The phrase 'a squeeze on' specifies what is being reduced.
4. a period when banks and other lenders have little money to lend, making it very
信貸緊縮
銀行借貸困難的時期
a period when banks and other lenders have little money to lend, making it very hard for people and businesses to borrow
During the credit squeeze, many young families could not get approval for a mortgage.
在信貸緊縮期間，許多年輕家庭無法獲得房貸核准。
credit squeeze — financial term
Beatriz's small bakery went under during the worst cash squeeze in a decade.
Beatriz 的小型烘焙坊在十年來最嚴重的現金緊縮中倒閉了。
The economic squeeze of 2023 made it almost impossible for new businesses to get loans.
2023 年的經濟緊縮讓新創企業幾乎不可能獲得貸款。
Economists warned that a liquidity squeeze could slow down the entire housing market.
經濟學家警告，流動性緊縮可能會拖慢整個房地產市場。
- credit crunch
more common in everyday news; same meaning
- liquidity crisis
more technical; shortage of cash in the system
- recession
broader; a general economic downturn, not just lending
- credit boom
a period when loans are easy to get
文法句型
a + credit/cash + squeeze
用法筆記
Distinct from sense 3: this specifically describes a macroeconomic credit shortage, not just internal budget cuts. Common compounds: 'credit squeeze', 'cash squeeze', 'liquidity squeeze'.
5. a situation where a large number of people or items occupy an area that is far t
擁擠
許多人擠在狹小空間的狀態
a situation where a large number of people or items occupy an area that is far too small for comfort
It was a tight squeeze with six passengers and a driver in the small van.
小貨車裡擠了一名司機和六名乘客，非常擁擠。
a tight squeeze — common idiom for crowded spaces
It was a tight squeeze for fans near the back of the concert hall.
對音樂廳後方的粉絲來說，那裡擠得動彈不得。
Brandon and his friends endured the squeeze on the rush-hour train every morning.
Brandon 和他的朋友每天早上都得忍受尖峰時間火車上的擁擠。
It'll be a bit of a squeeze to fit six people around that small table.
要讓六個人圍坐在那張小桌子旁，恐怕會有點擠。
文法句型
a + tight + squeeze
be + a + squeeze
用法筆記
Very commonly used in the fixed phrase 'a tight squeeze' to describe an uncomfortably crowded situation. Can apply to physical spaces or schedules ('a tight squeeze' time-wise).
6. (informal) a person's boyfriend, girlfriend, or romantic partner
另一半
口語中對戀人的暱稱
(informal) a person's boyfriend, girlfriend, or romantic partner
Tamar introduced her new squeeze to the whole family at the New Year dinner.
Tamar 在年夜飯時把新交往的對象介紹給全家人認識。
informal: possessive + squeeze = romantic partner
Is your squeeze coming to the barbecue on Saturday? Everyone wants to meet them.
你的另一半星期六要來烤肉嗎？大家都想認識他／她。
William and his squeeze have been dating for almost two years now.
William 和他的另一半已經交往將近兩年了。
Rania showed everyone a photo of her new squeeze at the office party.
Rania 在公司派對上給大家看她新交的對象的照片。
- boyfriend
more direct and common; specifies gender
- girlfriend
more direct and common; specifies gender
- partner
more neutral and formal; can be any relationship
文法句型
possessive + squeeze
用法筆記
Very informal and slightly playful or old-fashioned. Almost always appears with a possessive (my squeeze, his squeeze, your squeeze).