Etymology Journal · R

Ratchet it down

Meaning

To reduce the intensity, volume, or emotional level of a situation. It is used when things are getting too heated or complicated.

Calming, professional

Let's ratchet it down a notch and discuss this rationally.
The argument got intense, so we had to ratchet it down before someone said something they regretted.
You need to ratchet it down on the training schedule so the team doesn't burn out.

This comes from the mechanical tool called a ratchet. In conversation, it suggests taking a mechanism and locking it into a slower or lower gear.

Nationwide

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