squeak

[skweek]

noun

1. a short, sharp, shrill cry; a sharp, high-pitched sound.

2. Informal.,  opportunity; chance.

   their last squeak to correct the manuscript.

3. an escape from defeat, danger, death, or destruction (usually qualified by narrow orclose ).

verb (used without object)

1. to utter or emit a squeak or squeaky sound.

2. Slang.,  to confess or turn informer; squeal.

verb (used with object)

1. to utter or sound with a squeak or squeaks.

verb phrase

1. squeak by / through,  to succeed, survive, pass, win, etc., by a very narrow margin.

   They can barely squeak by on their income. The team managed to squeak through.

squeak

/ skwiːk /

noun

1. a short shrill cry or high-pitched sound

2. informal,  an escape (esp in the phrases narrow squeak , near squeak )

verb

1. to make or cause to make a squeak

2. (intr; usually foll by through or by) to pass with only a narrow margin

   to squeak through an examination

3. informal,  (intr) to confess information about oneself or another

4. (tr) to utter with a squeak

Other Word Forms

• squeakingly adverb
• squeaker noun
• squeakiness noun
• squeaky adjective
• squeakily adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of squeak¹

1350–1400; Middle English squeken, perhaps < Scandinavian; compare Swedish skväka to croak

Word History and Origins

Origin of squeak¹

C17: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Swedish skväka to croak

Example Sentences

The Democrats running for California governor have spent the spring and summer working to win over the powerful donors and interest groups who could help them squeak through a competitive primary election.

From Los Angeles Times

It sits alongside a small dark room full of prayer wheels which squeak as they spin.

From BBC

This time they squeaked through on a thin margin of about 600 votes.

From BBC

“Between hotel beds that squeak and the in-laws’ walls, we’ve identified two golden windows for potential action: nap time and post-bedtime,” she says.

From Los Angeles Times

Reform squeaked over the line in the by-election, but it is worth looking at their share of the vote where they didn't win.

From BBC

Related Words

• creak 
• screech 
• squeal