lever
A strong bar or handle that you move to make a machine work, or to lift or move something heavy.
A rigid bar or handle that you move, usually by pushing or pulling, in order to operate a machine or device, or to lift or move something using a pivot point.
Something you can use to make people do what you want or to bring change.
A thing, situation, or source of power that can be used to influence people or events in order to achieve a particular result.
To move or lift something by pushing with a bar or tool, or by using strong force like a lever.
To move, lift, or force something into a different position using a lever or by applying pressure in a way similar to using a lever.
To make a person or thing leave a job, place, or situation by using pressure or power.
To cause someone or something to leave a position, situation, or place by applying pressure, influence, or advantage, often against resistance.
- Base: lever
- Plural: levers
- Base: lever
- 3rd Person Singular: levers
- Present Participle: levering
- Past: levered
gear lever
1handle for changing gears in a vehicle
The handle in a car or other vehicle that you move to change the gear.
- He reached for the gear lever and shifted into third.
- In some cars the gear lever is on the steering column.
- She struggled at first to find the gear lever in the new model.
lever arm
1distance from pivot to applied force
In physics, the space between the point where a lever turns and the point where you push or pull on it.
- Increasing the lever arm makes it easier to lift the weight.
- The torque depends on both the force and the length of the lever arm.
- Students measured the lever arm to calculate the turning effect.
pull the lever
1operate something by pulling a lever
To pull a handle or bar so that a machine or device starts, stops, or changes what it is doing.
- When the light turns green, pull the lever to start the ride.
- In this game you just pull the lever and see if you win.
- He pulled the lever and the trapdoor opened with a loud bang.
the levers of power
1mechanisms of political or organizational control
The important jobs, systems, or tools that let a person or group control a country or organization.
- After the election, a new group took hold of the levers of power.
- The president controls the main levers of power in the country.
- Activists are trying to reach the levers of power inside the party.
use something as a lever
1use something as influence or pressure
To use a thing, fact, or situation to put pressure on someone or to help you reach your goal.
- They used the threat of moving production abroad as a lever to win tax breaks.
- She hoped to use the report as a lever for change inside the organization.
- The union is using public support as a lever in the pay talks.