lever
bar or handle for control
A strong bar or handle that you move to make a machine work, or to lift or move something heavy.
to pull [a] lever to operate [something]
- Pull the lever to start the machine.
- She pushed the lever forward and the seat slid back.
- The mechanic used a long metal lever to lift the engine slightly.
- He grabbed the brake lever on the handlebar and the bike stopped quickly.
- A simple see-saw is an example of a lever with a pivot in the middle.
- Pull the lever to open the door.
- He moved the lever and the car went into reverse.
- The worker used a long lever to lift the heavy box.
- Push the lever down to turn the machine off.
- This tool works like a lever to open the lid.
means of influence or pressure
Something you can use to make people do what you want or to bring change.
to use [something] as a lever to [do something]
- The government is using tax cuts as a lever to stimulate the economy.
- Access to key data can be a powerful lever in negotiations.
- They saw public opinion as the main lever for political change.
- The company used its control of the supply chain as a lever to win better terms.
- Sanctions were intended as a lever to bring the two sides back to the table.
- Money can be a strong lever in business talks.
- They used public support as a lever to change the law.
- The manager did not have any lever to push for higher pay.
- The threat of leaving gave her a lever in the discussion.
- He needed a new lever to make the company listen.
move something using a lever
To move or lift something by pushing with a bar or tool, or by using strong force like a lever.
[someone] levers [something] [open/up/off]
- He levered the lid off the paint can with a screwdriver.
- They managed to lever the heavy crate up onto the truck.
- She levered the window open a few inches to let in some air.
- Using a plank, we levered the rock out of the hole.
- The technician carefully levered the panel away from the wall.
- He levered the box up with a long bar.
- She levered the door open with a small tool.
- They levered the stone aside to reach the pipe.
- Use this metal bar to lever the wheel off.
- We levered the sofa up to put a rug under it.
force out using pressure
To make a person or thing leave a job, place, or situation by using pressure or power.
[someone] levers [someone/something] out of [a position/situation]
- The board finally levered the long‑serving CEO out of his position.
- Activist investors are trying to lever the company out of its current strategy.
- She was quietly levered into a more senior role after the reorganization.
- They used the threat of legal action to lever him out of the partnership.
- Rising public anger helped lever the minister out of office.
- The new boss slowly levered the old manager out of the team.
- Shareholders tried to lever the director out of his job.
- They used the bad results to lever him out of the company.
- The crisis levered her into a more powerful role.
- Public pressure levered the leader out of office.
- 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.