squeeze out

To force something out of a container or material by pressing it firmly.

• Squeeze out the extra water.
• She squeezed some toothpaste out of the tube.
• Can you squeeze out enough lemon juice for the sauce?

How to use it: squeeze something out of something (Squeeze the water out of the cloth.)

Similar words: press out, force out

Common phrases: squeeze out juice, squeeze water out, squeeze out toothpaste

To force someone to leave a group, business, or position, often through pressure or unfair treatment.

• The company squeezed out its small shareholders.
• They squeezed him out of the board by refusing to support him.
• Small shop owners were squeezed out as rents rose.

How to use it: squeeze someone out of something (The new owners squeezed her out of the business.)

Similar words: force out, oust, exclude

Common phrases: squeeze someone out, squeeze shareholders out

To win after a difficult effort, usually by a small amount.

• We squeezed out a narrow win.
• The team squeezed out a victory after two extra periods.
• Can they squeeze out another win against such strong opponents?

How to use it: squeeze out a win/victory (They squeezed out a win with a goal in the final minute.)

Similar words: eke out, scrape

Common phrases: squeeze out victory, squeeze out wins

To take a place that another competitor wanted or held, leaving them without one.

• Our team squeezed out its closest rival.
• His final jump squeezed me out of third place.
• A newcomer squeezed her out of the national team.

How to use it: squeeze someone out of something (Her improved score squeezed another runner out of the final.)

Similar words: displace, edge out

Common phrases: squeeze out someone, squeeze rivals out