screw something up Definition

screw
noun

1. A small metal cylinder with a spiral ridge or thread down the shaft and a slot in its head, driven into position in wood, etc by rotation using a screwdriver, usually used as a fastening device.
2. Any object similar in shape or function.
3. The turn or twist of a screw.
4. snooker, billiards.
A shot in which the cue ball is subjected to sidespin or backspin.
5. slang
A prison officer.
6. coarse slang
An act of sexual intercourse.
7. A screw propeller or a ship driven by one.
8. A thumbscrew.
9. colloq
Wages or salary.

verb screwed, screwing

1. To twist (a screw) into place.
2. To push or pull with a twisting action.

Thesaurus: twist, turn, twine, wind, contort.
3. colloq
To swindle or cheat.
Thesaurus: cheat, swindle, defraud, coerce, oppress.
4. snooker, billiards.
To put sidespin or backspin on (the cue ball).
tr & intr
5. coarse slang
To have sexual intercourse with someone.

Derivative: screwer
noun

Idiom: have one's head screwed on (have one's head screwed on the right way)

colloq
To be a sensible person.

Idiom: have a screw loose

colloq
To be slightly mad or crazy.

Idiom: put the screws on someone

colloq
To use force or pressure on them.

Idiom: screw up one's courage (pluck up one's courage)

To prepare oneself or become confident enough for an ordeal or difficulty.

Idiom: screw it, them, you etc

coarse slang
An exclamation of disgust, frustration, scorn, etc.

Etymology: 15c: from French escroue, ultimately from Latin scrofa sow², because of the resemblance between a pig's curly tail and the thread of the screw.

Phrasal Verb: screw something from or out of someone

To obtain it by intense persuasion or threats.
Example: They tried to screw more money out of them

Phrasal Verb: screw something up or together

To attach or assemble it by means of screws.

Phrasal Verb: screw someone up

To cause them to become extremely anxious, nervous or psychologically disturbed.

Phrasal Verb: screw something up

To ruin or bungle it.