put the squeeze on someone

put the squeeze on (one)

1. To pressure one to do something. We need to put the squeeze on those guys so that they finally pay their debt to us.

2. To create challenges or problems for one. The way house prices have been climbing in this neighborhood is really putting the squeeze on first-time buyers.

See also: on, put, squeeze

put the squeeze on someone

coerce or pressurize someone. informal

1993 Jonathon Green It: Sex Since the Sixties One day two characters walked into my studio and tried to put the squeeze on me for protection money.

See also: on, put, someone, squeeze

put the squeeze on someone

verb

See put the screws on someone

See also: on, put, someone, squeeze