1.
to squeeze out; to wring out
To physically extract liquid or substance by squeezing or wringing. Emphasizes thoroughness — getting every last drop.
レモンの汁を搾り取る。
Squeeze out the lemon juice.
ぞうきんの水を最後まで搾り取った。
I wrung out every last drop of water from the rag.
果物から果汁を搾り取ってジュースにする。
We squeeze the juice out of the fruit to make juice.
2.
to exploit; to squeeze (money/resources) from
To take money, labor, or resources from someone by coercion or unfair means. Carries a strongly negative connotation.
労働者から利益を搾り取る。
They exploit the workers for profit.
高齢者から大金を搾り取る詐欺が増えている。
Scams that squeeze large sums of money from elderly people are increasing.
その企業は下請け業者から搾り取れるだけ搾り取っている。
That company is squeezing every last bit it can from its subcontractors.
Godan verb (五段). Transitive.
A compound of 搾る (to squeeze) and 取る (to take). The 取る component adds the nuance of extraction — not just squeezing but actually getting something out.
ASPECT:
- 搾り取っている (is in the process of exploiting; has squeezed out)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 搾る means to squeeze but without the emphasis on extraction
- 搾取する is the more formal/political term for exploitation
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 金を搾り取る (to squeeze money out of)
- 汁を搾り取る (to squeeze out the juice)
- 搾り取れるだけ搾り取る (to squeeze out as much as possible)