noun | verb
screwscrew1 /skru/ ●●● S3 noun [countable] 1
a thin pointed piece of metal that you push and turn in order to fasten pieces of metal or wood together: You just need to tighten these two screws here.2science an object with a raised spiral around a central cylinder, used to raise or lower things by changing a force that goes around into one that goes up and down: Early printing presses used screws to press the type onto the paper.3have a screw loose (also have a few screws loose) informal humorous to be slightly crazy4tighten/put the screws (on somebody) informal to force someone to do something by threatening him or her: The law tightens the screws on industries that pollute. [Origin: 1400–1500 Old French escroe inner screw, nut, from Latin scrofa female pig] noun | verb
screwscrew2 ●●○ verb 1ATTACH [intransitive, transitive always + adv./prep.] to attach one object to another using a screw: screw (something) into/onto/to something The kitchen cabinets are screwed to the walls. The table legs just screw into the top like this.2CLOSE BY TURNING [transitive always + adv./prep.] to fasten or close something by turning it until it cannot be turned anymore SYN twist: screw something on/together etc. The kids always forget to screw the cap back on the bottle.3paper/cloth [transitive always + adv./prep.] (also screw up) to twist paper or cloth into a small round shape: screw something (up) into something She screwed her handkerchief into a ball.4CHEAT screw somebody (also screw somebody over) slang to treat someone in a dishonest or unfair way SYN cheat: The dealer really screwed us over when we bought this car.screw somebody out of something Sue’s sister screwed her out of her share of the money.5BE IN TROUBLE be screwed slang to be in a lot of trouble or in a very difficult situation: If Dad finds out about this, we’re screwed! → see also have your head screwed on (right/straight) at head1 (21)screw around phrasal verb informal1to spend time doing silly things: Some kids were screwing around outside.2to cause trouble or problems for someone, especially by changing something that he or she thinks should not be changed: screw around with Someone’s been screwing around with my computer.screw up phrasal verb1 informal to make a bad mistake or do something very stupid SYN mess up: If you screw up again, you’re fired!2 screw something ↔ up informal to spoil something by doing something stupid, especially by making something not organized SYN mess something up: Dave screwed up my files, so now I can’t find anything. She realized that she had screwed up her life.3 screw somebody ↔ up informal to make someone feel very unhappy, confused, or anxious, especially for a long time SYN mess somebody up: Living with my parents is enough to screw anybody up. → see also screwed up4screw up your eyes/face/mouth etc. to move the muscles around your eyes, mouth, etc. in a way that makes them seem narrow: Lynn screwed up her face in disgust. I screwed my eyes tight and concentrated.5screw up your courage (also screw up the/enough courage to do something) to try to be brave enough to do something you are very nervous about: Mike screwed up his courage and started dialing her number.