ratchet sth up
phrasal verbwithratchetverbuk/ˈrætʃɪt/us
toincreasesomething incontrolledstagesover aperiodoftime:
Theconstantratcheting up ofrewardsforexecutivesmeansthey areexpandingout of allproportionto those of otherstaff.
ratchetupcosts/interestrates
ratchetupefforts/pressure/tension