screw

[[t]skru͟ː[/t]]

screws, screwing, screwed

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) V-ERG If you screw something somewhere or if it screws somewhere, you fix it in place by means of a screw or screws.

[V n prep] I had screwed the shelf on the wall myself...

[V n with adv] Screw down any loose floorboards...

[V prep/adv] I particularly like the type of shelving that screws to the wall.

3) ADJ: ADJ n 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.

...an ordinary jam jar with a screw lid.

4) V-ERG If you screw something somewhere or if it screws somewhere, you fix it in place by twisting it round and round.

[V n prep] `Yes, I know that,' Kelly said, screwing the silencer onto the pistol...

[V n with adv] Screw down the lid fairly tightly...

[V prep/adv] This device screws into the shutter release button.

[V prep/adv] ...several aluminium poles that screw together to give a maximum length of 10 yards.

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]

[V n into n] He screwed the paper into a ball and tossed it into the fire.

(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.

[V n into n] He screwed his face into an expression of mock pain.

7) V-RECIP If someone screws someone else or if two people screw, they have sex together. [RUDE]

8) VERB: only imper (feelings) 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]

9) VERB: usu passive 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]

[be V-ed] They haven't given us accurate information. We've been screwed...

[get V-ed] The consumer is getting screwed by cover charges as well.

10) VERB If someone screws something, especially money, out of you, they get it from you by putting pressure on you. [mainly BRIT, INFORMAL]

[V n out of n] After decades of rich nations screwing money out of poor nations, it's about time some went the other way.

11) N-COUNT Prisoners often refer to prison officers as screws. [INFORMAL]

12) N-COUNT A screw is a propeller on a ship or an aircraft. [TECHNICAL]

13) PHRASE: V and N inflect, oft PHR on n If you turn or tighten the screw on 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.

Parisian taxi drivers are threatening to mount a blockade to turn the screw on the government.

14) PHRASE You can refer to each of a series of threats or actions which are intended to force someone to do a particular thing as another turn of the screw.

Every rebel raid is another turn of the screw, increasing the pressure on the President.

Phrasal Verbs:

- screw up