ratchet

ratchet

slang Tacky or trashy. Dang, she's ratchet—what the heck is she wearing?

ratchet mouth

A person who talks incessantly or irrepressibly. Jake is such a ratchet mouth that I find it exhausting talking to him! You need to quit being such a ratchet mouth in the classroom!
See also: mouth, ratchet

ratchet up

1. To increase in speed, intensity, or force over several incremental degrees. Campaigns on both sides of the referendum have been ratcheting up over the last few days. The film's tension ratchets up from beginning to end, leaving you on the edge of your seat by the time the credits roll. Make sure you don't let the engine overheat as it ratchets up, or it could end up burning out.
2. To cause something to increase in speed, intensity, or force over several incremental degrees. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "ratchet" and "up." We've been ratcheting up our negotiations with the militants to try and bring the hostages home safely. We need to ratchet our efforts up if we hope to win the qualifying round next week.
See also: ratchet, up
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

ratchet up

v.
1. To cause something to increase in increments: The motor was running too slow to run the pump, so we ratcheted up the speed until it worked. We won't resolve our disagreements if you ratchet up our discussions into big arguments.
2. To increase by increments: The tension ratcheted up as the hostage crisis wore on.
See also: ratchet, up
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.

ratchet-mouth

and motor-mouth
n. someone who talks incessantly. (Also a term of address.) Tell that ratchet-mouth to shut up! Hey, motor-mouth! Don’t you ever stop?
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • ratchet mouth
  • ratchet-mouth
  • a motor mouth
  • motor
  • motor-mouth
  • loud mouth
  • tackhead
  • that's for dang sure
  • That's for dang sure!
  • bigmouth
References in periodicals archive
Potential licensees interested in obtaining more information about the Ratchet Guard and discussing licensing opportunities with respect to the product can contact the Manufacturer Response Department of Innovation Direct[TM] at (877) 991-0909 ext.
Innovation Direct[TM] to Spearhead Licensing Campaign on Behalf of Ratchet Guard Invention
After word spreads of Ratchet and Clank's recent conquest in Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando, Clank finds himself recognized as an interstellar robot of mystery and intrigue after starring in his own television series, Secret Agent Clank.
SONY TO RELEASE RATCHET & CLANK: UP YOUR ARSENAL IN FALL 2004
The upstart Ratchet also has a substantial media buy for a new franchise, including three TV ads.
Insomniac not losing sleep. (Dragon's Breadth)
The new ratchet will ease the sorting of hard-to-separate cell-membrane proteins, such as receptors, the scientists predict.
Maze-like ratchet sorts biomolecules
3) As the unscrewing takes place, the ratchet ring is indexed forward by cams to maintain engagement with the part.
"3R" unscrewing mold technology
The inventor of the Manuel Specialty Ratchet Wrench has developed a working prototype that has been utilized with success.
Innovation Direct[TM] to Spearhead Licensing Efforts for Manuel Specialty Wrench
NSN 2590-01-568-6451 includes 110-in ratchet strap assembly and shackle
Gunner's platform info
The ProStack double leg ratchet plastic pallet features solid construction with telescoping double legs to extend its life in tough handling situations.
Patented double leg ratchet pallet
Teleflex Medical OEM, a Kenosha, WI-based global outsource provider of medical devices and orthopedic surgical instruments, said it has added the Centaur torque-limiting ratchet driver to its Beere Medical product line.
Teleflex Medical OEM launches Centaur line
Interactive packaging design lets the customer operate the ReTractable[R] ratchet right in the store and also serves as a storage case.
RE-TRACTABLE[R], Ratcheting Tie-Down straps
RATCHET & CLANK: SIZE MATTERS, PSP, Sony, pounds 29.99
Reviews: Games
When used in Esophageal or HBP surgery, the Teasdale Sternal Ratchet Platform (Patent Pending) enables the surgeon to obtain maximum exposure by lifting the Sternum under direct control.
Retractor system for esophageal & HBP surgery
Ratchet and Clank 2 (Sony, PS2, pounds 34.99) WITH all the whirring and clinking of an ACME factory,Ratchet and Clank come blazing back to the PS2 for a secondouting.
Time Off: Wet weekend: GAME CHECK
Ratchet and Crank was born - and the odd pairing are certainly here for the duration.
Games News: New breed of hero arrives