This ignores the nature of ratchets, which make the past a poor guide to the future.

ECONOMIST: The Paula Jones ratchet

Next there is an invitation to the news conference, which ratchets the speculation mill into high gear.

FORBES: How We Journalists Get Sucked Into the Apple's iPhone Hype

As the ratchets move in and out, so the muscle contracts and relaxes.

ECONOMIST: REPORT: PROTEOMICS: After the genome | The

Digital properties are becoming increasingly important to CBS as it ratchets up the competition with rivals like Disney, News Corp.

FORBES: CBS Has Eye On Growth Of Digital Properties

So this really ratchets it up a very significant level.

CNN: Amanpour: Attack comes at crucial time for region

The problem with being too happy about a "good year" (and here the title-or-bust types are on to something) is that next year, the standard for "good" ratchets up, gets a little harder.

WSJ: Five Thoughts on the Knicks

The advent of the Backbench Business Committee has already allowed such groups to bring a non-binding motion to the floor of the House, but this ruling ratchets up their ability to get Commons votes that are a bit more than merely symbolic.

BBC: An important surprise

And the "Courthouse" (based on the Thurgood Marshall U.S. Courthouse in Foley Square), mounted on a stand that ratchets like a railroad or traffic barrier to suggest that access to justice is often barred, sits directly in front of the Christ Church United Methodist.

WSJ: Public Arts Projects Twist the City's Skyline