1. （操作机械的）杆，柄，把手
    A lever is a handle or bar that is attached to a piece of machinery and which you push or pull in order to operate the machinery.

    e.g. Push the tiny lever on the lock...
           按一下锁上的小柄。
    e.g. The taps have a lever to control the mix of hot and cold water.
           水阀上有一个手柄控制冷热水。

2. 杠杆；撬棒
    A lever is a long bar, one end of which is placed under a heavy object so that when you press down on the other end you can move the object.

lever的解释

3. 撬动；撬起；用力移动
    If you lever something in a particular direction, you move it there, especially by using a lot of effort.

    e.g. Neighbours eventually levered open the door with a crowbar...
           邻居们最终用一根铁撬把门撬开了。
    e.g. Insert the fork about 6in. from the root and simultaneously lever it backwards...
           将耙子插入到离根部约6英寸的地方并同时向后扳。

4. （用作施加压力等的）手段，方法
    A lever is an idea or action that you can use to make people do what you want them to do, rather than what they want to do.

    e.g. Radical, militant factions want to continue using the hostages as a lever to gain concessions from the west.
           激进的好战派想要继续利用人质作筹码来换取西方的让步。