put the squeeze on

put the squeeze on someone 

1. Inf. to attempt to get money out of someone. The mob put the squeeze on all the merchants, threatening to break their windows if they didn't pay. Are you trying to put the squeeze on me for more money?

2. Go to put the heat on (someone).

See also: put, squeeze

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put the squeeze on somebody/something  

1. to try to influence a person or organization to make them act in the way you want Human rights activists hope the US president will put the squeeze on the island's rulers.

2. to cause problems for someone, especially by making it difficult for them to achieve something The recession has put the squeeze on many small businesses.

See also: put, squeeze

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put the squeeze on somebody/something

to put pressure on someone or something I hate telephone calls that put the squeeze on me to contribute to something, even to something obviously good. Higher numbers of commuters using buses and trains have put the squeeze on public transportation.

See also: put, squeeze