Cliché corner   

"That fear [of flying], which affects an estimated 1 in 6 Americans, seems more palpable this summer as airlines ratchet up security efforts in the wake of the TWA crash." ( USA Today)

"But don't get the idea that as each event of these Greek games ends the village ratchets up into a
Roman orgy." ( Kansas City Star )

"The songs revolve around repeated piano and intertwined vocal figures. Tori [Amos] ratchets up the voice/keyboard attack or gathers the maelstrom into a quietly coiled madness." ( Springfield, Illinois, State Journal-Register )

"Republicans are using reports of White House staffers' past drug abuse to ratchet up criticism of President Clinton...." ( USA Today )

"The U.S. decision to revoke President Samper's entry visa will ratchet up pressure for the Colombian leader to resign because of his alleged ties to drug lords." ( Reuters )

"It pleases even those who aren't studio audience plants meant to whoop and holler and ratchet up the audience's ecstasy level..." ( Buffalo News )