ratchet : Idioms & Phrases

• (Mech.), a boring brace, having a ratchet wheel and pawl for rotating the tool by back and forth movements of the brace handle.

Webster 1913

• verb move by degrees in one direction only
  ratchet; rachet up.
  
  • a ratcheting lopping tool

WordNet

• a portable machine for working a drill by hand, consisting of a hand lever carrying at one end a drill holder which is revolved by means of a ratchet wheel and pawl, by swinging the lever back and forth.

Webster 1913

• noun a screwdriver with a ratchet (so the blade turns in only one direction) and a spiral in the handle (so the blade rotates) with downward pressure on the handle
  ratchet screwdriver.
  

WordNet

• noun toothed wheel held in place by a pawl or detent and turned by a lever
  

WordNet

• (Mach.), a circular wheel having teeth, usually angular, with which a reciprocating pawl engages to turn the wheel forward, or a stationary pawl to hold it from turning backward.

Webster 1913

• noun a screwdriver with a ratchet (so the blade turns in only one direction) and a spiral in the handle (so the blade rotates) with downward pressure on the handle
  ratchet screwdriver.
  

WordNet