screw */

I UK [skruː] / US [skru] verb
Word forms "screw":
present tense I/you/we/they screw he/she/it screws present participle screwing past tense screwed past participle screwed

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

2) [transitive] very informal to cheat someone, or to treat someone in an unfair way

screw someone out of something:

We were just screwed out of £20!

3) [intransitive/transitive] impolite to have sex with someone

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

Phrasal verbs:

- screw around

- screw up

See:

head I

II UK [skruː] / US [skru] noun [countable]
Word forms "screw":
singular screw plural screws

1) a thin pointed piece of metal that is 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 undid the screws to get the door off.

Two screws hold the blade in position.

2) informal a prison warder. This word is used especially by prisoners.

3)

a) [usually singular] impolite an act of having sex

b) impolite a sexual partner

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put/tighten/turn the screws on someone — informal to put more pressure on someone to do something, for example by threatening them

His creditors were putting the screws on him.

- have a screw loose

- a turn of the screw