lever
[noun]
Synonyms:
- handle, bar
[verb]
Synonyms:
- prise, force

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. le‧ver¹ /ˈliːvə $ ˈlevər/ noun [countable]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: levier, from lever 'to raise']

1. a stick or handle on a machine or piece of equipment, that you move to operate it:
Pull this lever to open the gate. ⇒ gear lever

2. a long thin piece of metal that you use to lift something heavy by putting one end under the object and pushing the other end down

3. something you use to influence a situation to get the result that you want:
Rich countries use foreign aid as a lever to achieve political aims.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. lever² verb [transitive]

1. to move something with a lever
lever something off/up/out etc
He levered the stone into place.

2. lever yourself up (also lever yourself onto/out of etc something) to move your body by pushing on something with your arms to help you:
He slowly levered himself up.

3. to make someone leave a particular job, situation etc
lever somebody out
They’re trying to lever him out of his job.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

lever
noun
I. handle for operating a machine
ADJ. brake, control, gear
VERB + LEVER move, operate, position, press, pull, push, put, release, set, throw When the lever is operated, the machine sews backwards. To release the brake, pull the lever towards you. Push the gear lever into first. The machine will stop immediately once the lever is released. Set all three levers to the 0 position. He threw a lever and the engines roared to life.
PREP. by (means of) a ~ The machine is operated by means of a lever.
PHRASES the position of the lever

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

lever
II. means of achieving sth
ADJ. powerful, useful
VERB + LEVER act as, be, give sb, provide (sb with), serve as | use sth as
PREP. ~ against If this allegation is true, it will give us a useful lever against him.
~ for This could serve as a powerful lever for peace.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲