screw

screw1 [ skru ] noun count *

1. ) a thin pointed piece of metal used for fastening one thing to another. It has a raised twisted part on it called a thread. You push and turn it with a screwdriver instead of hitting it with a hammer like a nail:

I took out the screws to get the door off.

Two screws hold the blade in position.

2. ) usually singular IMPOLITE an act of having sex

a ) a sexual partner

3. ) MAINLY BRITISH INFORMAL a prison GUARD. This word is used especially by prisoners.

have a screw loose INFORMAL

to be slightly crazy

put the screws on someone INFORMAL

to put more pressure on someone to do something, for example by threatening them

a turn of the screw

an occasion when someone puts more pressure on someone else to do something

screw

screw 2 [ skru ] verb *

1. ) transitive to fasten one thing to another using screws:

Next screw the back and sides of the box together.

screw something into/onto/to something: The rails need to be firmly screwed to the wall.

a ) to put something into its position by turning it like a screw:

Make sure you screw the lid on firmly to keep the contents fresh.

b ) to turn something round and round

─ opposite UNSCREW

2. ) intransitive or transitive IMPOLITE to have sex with someone

3. ) transitive VERY INFORMAL to cheat someone or treat someone in an unfair way:

screw someone out of something: We were just screwed out of $20!

4. ) transitive to make something into a smaller shape by squeezing or twisting it:

Peter kept his eyes screwed tightly shut.

screw something into something: She was nervously screwing her tissue into a ball.

screw you/her/him etc. OFFENSIVE

used for expressing your anger

=> HEAD1

,screw a`round phrasal verb intransitive IMPOLITE

1. ) to waste time in silly or useless activities

2. ) to have a lot of sexual relationships, instead of having one regular partner

,screw `up phrasal verb

1. ) intransitive or transitive VERY INFORMAL to make a serious mistake or spoil something, especially a situation: MESS UP:

I really screwed up this time, didn't I?

He made a bad decision that screwed up his entire life.

2. ) transitive INFORMAL to make someone feel so upset or confused that their whole personality is affected, often permanently:

Divorce doesn't have to screw your children up.

3. ) transitive if you screw up your eyes, you close them tightly

a ) 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

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.

screw up the courage/nerve to do something

to prepare mentally for doing something difficult