2screw verb
screws; screwed; screw·ing 1 always followed by an adverb or preposition [+ obj] : to attach (something) with a screw
▪ I screwed the boards together. ▪ The cupboards are screwed to the wall. 2 always followed by an adverb or preposition a [+ obj] : to turn (something) so that it attaches or connects to something
▪ Screw the cap on tight. ▪ Screw the light bulb into the fixture.
b [no obj] : to fit onto or into something by being turned
▪ The lid screws onto the jar. ▪ The light bulb screws right in. 3 informal + offensive a [no obj] : to have sex
b [+ obj] : to have sex with (someone) 4 [+ obj] informal a : to take something from (someone) by lying or breaking a rule
▪ I'd given them all of my savings before I realized I was being screwed. [=cheated] — often + out of ▪ The company screwed them out of thousands of dollars of investment money.
b : to prevent (someone) from having or getting something that is deserved or expected
▪ He will screw you if you give him the chance. — often + out of or (US) over ▪ She was screwed out of the job. [=she should have gotten the job but she didn't get it] ▪ The company changed its return policy and (totally) screwed me over. 5 [+ obj] informal + impolite — used to express anger, disgust, etc. ▪ She doesn't like it? Well, screw her. ▪ Screw it [=forget it], I'm not waiting around forever. 6 [+ obj] : to press or squeeze (something) so that it is no longer flat or smooth — often + up ▪ He screwed [=crumpled] up the letter into a ball and threw it into the trash.
▪ I screwed the boards together. ▪ The cupboards are screwed to the wall.
▪ Screw the cap on tight. ▪ Screw the light bulb into the fixture.
b [no obj] : to fit onto or into something by being turned
▪ The lid screws onto the jar. ▪ The light bulb screws right in.
b [+ obj] : to have sex with (someone)
▪ I'd given them all of my savings before I realized I was being screwed. [=cheated] — often + out of ▪ The company screwed them out of thousands of dollars of investment money.
b : to prevent (someone) from having or getting something that is deserved or expected
▪ He will screw you if you give him the chance. — often + out of or (US) over ▪ She was screwed out of the job. [=she should have gotten the job but she didn't get it] ▪ The company changed its return policy and (totally) screwed me over.
have/get your head screwed on right/straight — see 1head
screw around
[phrasal verb] chiefly US, informal 1 : to do things that are not useful or serious : to waste time
▪ Quit screwing around [=messing around, fooling around] and get back to work. 2 : to have sex with someone who is not your husband, wife, or regular partner
▪ She found out he's been screwing around. [=fooling around] — often + with ▪ She was screwing around with her boss. 3 : to use or do something in a way that is not very serious
▪ I spent the afternoon screwing around [=messing around] on the piano. — often + with ▪ screwing around with paints 4 screw around with (something) : to handle or play with (something) in a careless or foolish way
▪ It's really dangerous to screw around with your cell phone while you're driving.
▪ Quit screwing around [=messing around, fooling around] and get back to work.
▪ She found out he's been screwing around. [=fooling around] — often + with ▪ She was screwing around with her boss.
▪ I spent the afternoon screwing around [=messing around] on the piano. — often + with ▪ screwing around with paints
▪ It's really dangerous to screw around with your cell phone while you're driving.
screw up
[phrasal verb] informal 1 a : to make a mistake : to do something incorrectly
▪ Sorry about that, I screwed up. ▪ You really screwed up this time.
b screw (something) up or screw up (something) : to make a mistake in (something)
▪ The waiter screwed up our order. ▪ This performance is important, so don't screw it up. 2 screw (something) up or screw up (something) : to damage or ruin (something)
▪ Drugs screwed up her life. : to damage or change (something) so that it does not work properly ▪ I don't know what I did, but I somehow screwed up the computer. 3 screw (someone) up or screw up (someone) : to make (someone) very upset and unhappy for a long time
▪ The divorce really screwed him up. 4 screw (something) up or screw up (something) : to tighten the muscles of (your face or eyes)
▪ He screwed his face up into a frown. ▪ She screwed up her eyes [=she squinted] and tried to read the sign. 5 screw up the/your courage : to make yourself brave enough to do something difficult
▪ I finally screwed up the courage to tell them that I was quitting. — see also 2screw 6
▪ Sorry about that, I screwed up. ▪ You really screwed up this time.
b screw (something) up or screw up (something) : to make a mistake in (something)
▪ The waiter screwed up our order. ▪ This performance is important, so don't screw it up.
▪ Drugs screwed up her life. : to damage or change (something) so that it does not work properly ▪ I don't know what I did, but I somehow screwed up the computer.
▪ The divorce really screwed him up.
▪ He screwed his face up into a frown. ▪ She screwed up her eyes [=she squinted] and tried to read the sign.
▪ I finally screwed up the courage to tell them that I was quitting. — see also 2screw 6
