screw
3 ENTRIES FOUND:
plural
screws
plural
screws
Britannica Dictionary definition of SCREW
[count]
1
:
a narrow, pointed metal cylinder that has a wide flat or rounded top and a ridge (called a thread) that goes around it in a spiral
—
see picture at carpentry;
compare 1nail 1
◊ A screw is used to hold things together or to attach things. It is inserted into wood, metal, etc., by being turned.
-
Tighten the screws.
2
:
an object that has a thread like a screw which is used to attach or connect it to something
— usually used before another noun
-
The bottle has a screw cap/top. [=a cap/top that is attached and removed by turning it]
3
informal + offensive
a
:
an act of sexual intercourse
b
:
a sexual partner
4
slang
:
a prison guard
have a screw loose
informal or have a loose screw
:
to be crazy
-
He acts like he has a screw loose.
-
You've got to have a loose screw to think that's a good idea. = You've got to have a few loose screws to think that's a good idea.
put the screws on/to (someone or something)
informal
:
to use force or the threat of force to make (someone or something) do what you want
-
The government is finally putting the screws to an industry that's been evading environmental laws for years.
tighten the screws
informal
:
to put more pressure on someone or something to do something
-
We need to tighten the screws on people who've been evading the tax.
2
screw
/ˈskruː/
verb
screws;
screwed;
screwing
2
screw
/ˈskruː/
verb
screws;
screwed;
screwing
Britannica Dictionary definition of SCREW
1
always followed by an adverb or preposition,
[+ object]
:
to attach (something) with a screw
-
I screwed the boards together.
-
The cupboards are screwed to the wall.
2
always followed by an adverb or preposition
a
[+ object]
:
to turn (something) so that it attaches or connects to something
-
Screw the cap on tight.
-
Screw the light bulb into the fixture.
b
[no object]
:
to fit onto or into something by being turned
-
The lid screws onto the jar.
-
The light bulb screws right in.
3
informal + offensive
a
[no object]
:
to have sex
b
[+ object]
:
to have sex with (someone)
4
[+ object]
informal
a
:
to take something from (someone) by lying or breaking a rule
— often + out of
-
I'd given them all of my savings before I realized I was being screwed. [=cheated]
-
The company screwed them out of thousands of dollars of investment money.
b
:
to prevent (someone) from having or getting something that is deserved or expected
— often + out of or (US) over
-
He will screw you if you give him the chance.
-
She was screwed out of the job. [=she should have gotten the job but she didn't get it]
-
The company changed its return policy and (totally) screwed me over.
5
[+ object]
informal + impolite
— used to express anger, disgust, etc.
-
She doesn't like it? Well, screw her.
-
Screw it [=forget it], I'm not waiting around forever.
6
[+ object]
:
to press or squeeze (something) so that it is no longer flat or smooth
— often + up
-
He screwed [=crumpled] up the letter into a ball and threw it into the trash.
have/get your head screwed on right/straight
screw around
[phrasal verb] chiefly US, informal
1
:
to do things that are not useful or serious
:
to waste time
-
Quit screwing around [=messing around, fooling around] and get back to work.
2
:
to have sex with someone who is not your husband, wife, or regular partner
— often + with
-
She found out he's been screwing around. [=fooling around]
-
She was screwing around with her boss.
3
:
to use or do something in a way that is not very serious
— often + with
-
I spent the afternoon screwing around [=messing around] on the piano.
-
screwing around with paints
4
screw around with (something)
:
to handle or play with (something) in a careless or foolish way
-
It's really dangerous to screw around with your cell phone while you're driving.
screw up
[phrasal verb] informal
1
a
:
to make a mistake
:
to do something incorrectly
-
Sorry about that, I screwed up.
-
You really screwed up this time.
b
screw (something) up
or
screw up (something)
:
to make a mistake in (something)
-
The waiter screwed up our order.
-
This performance is important, so don't screw it up.
2
screw (something) up
or
screw up (something)
:
to damage or ruin (something)
:
to damage or change (something) so that it does not work properly
-
Drugs screwed up her life.
-
I don't know what I did, but I somehow screwed up the computer.
3
screw (someone) up
or
screw up (someone)
:
to make (someone) very upset and unhappy for a long time
-
The divorce really screwed him up.
4
screw (something) up
or
screw up (something)
:
to tighten the muscles of (your face or eyes)
-
He screwed his face up into a frown.
-
She screwed up her eyes [=she squinted] and tried to read the sign.
5
screw up the/your courage
:
to make yourself brave enough to do something difficult
—
see also 2screw 6
-
I finally screwed up the courage to tell them that I was quitting.
