ratchet

ラチェットレンチ

ナットやボルトを逆回転させずに柄を戻し、繰り返し回せる工具。

やさしい英語で： A tool for turning nuts or bolts that can move back without turning the nut or bolt back.

• Pass me the ratchet, please.
• He used a ratchet to loosen the bolt.
• Does this socket fit your ratchet?

類義語： ratchet wrench, socket wrench

よく使う表現： a socket ratchet, use a ratchet, ratchet handle

ラチェット機構、ラチェット

歯と止め爪で一方向の動きだけを許し、逆戻りを防ぐ仕組み。

やさしい英語で： A device with teeth and a catch that allows movement in one direction but prevents movement back.

• The ratchet stops the wheel turning backwards.
• You can hear the ratchet clicking as you tighten the strap.
• A broken tooth prevented the ratchet from locking.

よく使う表現： ratchet mechanism, ratchet wheel, a clicking ratchet

ラチェット効果

ある方向への変化を許すが、元に戻すのは難しくする規則や過程。

やさしい英語で： A rule or process that allows change in one direction but makes reversing it difficult.

• The policy created an upward ratchet in costs.
• The wage agreement acted as a ratchet, preventing later reductions.
• Economists warned of a ratchet effect in public spending.

よく使う表現： ratchet effect, an upward ratchet, a spending ratchet

爪、止め爪

歯車に引っかかり、逆向きに回るのを防ぐ小さな部品。

やさしい英語で： A small part that catches a toothed wheel and stops it turning backwards.

• The ratchet caught the next tooth.
• A spring holds the ratchet against the wheel.
• The wheel slipped backwards when the ratchet broke.

類義語： pawl, catch, detent

よく使う表現： ratchet pawl, release the ratchet, ratchet catch

段階的に調整する、少しずつ締める

少しずつ量を増減させたり、締めたりする。

やさしい英語で： To increase, reduce, or tighten something in small steps.

• He ratcheted the strap tight.
• The government ratcheted up pressure on the company.
• Can we ratchet spending down gradually?

使い方： ratchet something up/down (The bank ratcheted interest rates up again.); ratchet up/down something (They ratcheted down their demands.)

類義語： adjust gradually, tighten

よく使う表現： ratchet something up, ratchet something down, ratchet the strap

段階的に変化する、少しずつ進む

小刻みに動いたり変化したりする。逆戻りを防ぐ仕組みを伴うことが多い。

やさしい英語で： To move or change in small steps, often with a mechanism that prevents movement back.

• The handle ratchets into position.
• Tensions ratcheted up after the announcement.
• The seat ratchets forward but cannot slide back freely.

使い方： ratchet up/down (Prices ratcheted up throughout the summer.)

類義語： shift, change gradually

よく使う表現： ratchet up, ratchet down, ratchet into place