screw (screws plural & 3rd person present) (screwing present participle) (screwed past tense & past participle )
1 n-count A screw is a metal object similar to a nail, with a raised spiral line around it. You turn a screw using a screwdriver so that it goes through two things, for example two pieces of wood, and fastens them together.
Each bracket is fixed to the wall with just three screws.
2 verb If you screw something somewhere or if it screws somewhere, you fix it in place by means of a screw or screws.
I had screwed the shelf on the wall myself... V n prep
Screw down any loose floorboards... V n with adv
I particularly like the type of shelving that screws to the wall. V prep/adv
3 adj A screw lid or fitting is one that has a raised spiral line on the inside or outside of it, so that it can be fixed in place by twisting.
ADJ n
...an ordinary jam jar with a screw lid.
4 verb If you screw something somewhere or if it screws somewhere, you fix it in place by twisting it round and round.
Kelly screwed the silencer onto the pistol... V n prep
Screw down the lid fairly tightly... V n with adv
...several aluminium poles that screw together to give a maximum length of 10 yards. V prep/adv
5 verb If you screw something such as a piece of paper into a ball, you squeeze it or twist it tightly so that it is in the shape of a ball.
(BRIT)
He screwed the paper into a ball and tossed it into the fire. V n into n
in AM, use crush
6 verb If you screw your face or your eyes into a particular expression, you tighten the muscles of your face to form that expression, for example because you are in pain or because the light is too bright.
He screwed his face into an expression of mock pain. V n into n
7 v-recip If someone screws someone else or if two people screw, they have sex together.
RUDE
8 verb Some people use screw in expressions such as screw you or screw that to show that they are not concerned about someone or something or that they feel contempt for them.
RUDE only imper (feelings)
9 verb If someone says that they have been screwed, they mean that someone else has cheated them, especially by getting money from them dishonestly.
INFORMAL, RUDE usu passive
They haven't given us accurate information. We've been screwed... be V-ed
10 verb If someone screws something, especially money, out of you, they get it from you by putting pressure on you.
(mainly BRIT)
INFORMAL For decades rich nations have been screwing money out of poor nations. V n out of n
11 If you turn or tighten the screwon someone, you increase the pressure which is already on them, for example by using threats, in order to force them to do a particular thing.
turn/tighten the screw(s) on someone phrase V and N inflect, oft PHR on n
Parisian taxi drivers are threatening to mount a blockade to turn the screw on the government. screw up
1 phrasal verb If you screw up your eyes or your face, you tighten your eye or face muscles, for example because you are in pain or because the light is too bright.
She had screwed up her eyes, as if she found the sunshine too bright... V P n (not pron)
Close your eyes and screw them up tight... V n P
His face screwed up in agony. V P
2 phrasal verb If you screw up a piece of paper, you squeeze it tightly so that it becomes very creased and no longer flat, usually when you are throwing it away.
(BRIT)
He would start writing to his family and would screw the letter up in frustration... V n P
He screwed up his first three efforts after only a line or two. V P n (not pron)
in AM, use crush
3 phrasal verb To screw something up, or to screw up, means to cause something to fail or be spoiled. INFORMAL You can't open the window because it screws up the air conditioning... V P n (not pron) Get out. Haven't you screwed things up enough already!... V n P Somebody had screwed up; they weren't there. V P
screw-top
A screw-top bottle or jar has a lid that is secured by being twisted on. adj ADJ n
