ratchet up phrasal verbphr v to increase something by a small amount, especially after a series of increases, or to increase in this way 〔尤指在连续数次提高之后〕（使）小幅增加[提高]ratchet something ↔ up Raising the minimum wage would ratchet up real incomes in general. 提高最低工资将普遍提高实际收入。
The debate will ratchet up a notch on Wednesday when the Commission publishes its report. 星期三委员会发表报告后，辩论还将升级。
→ ratchet up at ratchet2(1)