screw up

phrasal verb

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	screw up
he/she/it	screws up
present participle	screwing up
past tense	screwed up
past participle	screwed up

1
intransitive/transitive very informalto make a serious mistake, or to spoil something, especially a situation
I really screwed up this time, didn’t I?
He made a bad decision that screwed up his entire life.
Synonyms and related words
To make a mistake, or to do something badly
mess up
blunder
slip up
Synonyms and related words
To have a bad effect, or to reduce a good effect
cost
damage
spoil
2
transitive informalto make someone feel so upset or confused that their whole personality is affected, often permanently
Divorce doesn’t have to screw your children up.
Synonyms and related words
To make someone feel sad or upset
upset
wound
disturb
3
transitive if you screw up your eyes, you close them tightly
Synonyms and related words
What the eyes can do
adjust
blink
blink
1. 3a
  if you screw up your face, you pull your forehead down and push your mouth and nose up, usually to show that you dislike something
  Synonyms and related words
  To make a particular facial expression
  bug out
  curl your lip
  frown
4
transitive to make something into a smaller shape by squeezing or twisting it
Several pages had been screwed up and tossed in the basket.
Synonyms and related words
To change the shape of something
reshape
open up
shape
5
screw up the courage/nerve to do somethingto prepare mentally for doing something difficult
I’m trying to screw up enough nerve to ask her a favor.
Synonyms and related words
To be ready, or to get ready for something
stand by
brace
steel yourself