screw

Everyday

1. A small pointed metal pin with a spiral ridge, turned with a screwdriver to hold things together. tree →
2. (verb) To fix something with screws, or to turn something round to fasten it: screw on the lid. tree →
3. (verb) To twist or squeeze into a shape: screw up your eyes, screw up the paper. tree →
4. Screw up (informal): to make a mess of something or make a big mistake. tree →
5. (slang, rude) Screwed: in deep trouble; «screw it» or «screw you» is a rude way to show anger. tree →
6. (verb, informal) To cheat someone out of money: we got screwed. tree →

In the lessons

In science and technology lessons a screw is one of the simple machines, like a twisted ramp. In everyday life you screw lids on jars and bulbs into sockets. In real speech, «I screwed up» means I made a mistake; «we're screwed» means we are in trouble — informal and a bit rude. Phrases: screw up, screw on, a screw loose (joke: a bit mad), turn the screw.

Examples

• Dad used four screws to fix the shelf. tree →
• Screw the lid on tightly. tree →
• She screwed up her eyes in the bright sun. tree →
• I screwed up the paper and threw it in the bin. tree →
• I totally screwed up my lines in the play. tree →
• (slang) If we miss the last bus, we're screwed. tree →
• Righty-tighty, lefty-loosey: turn the screw clockwise to tighten it. tree →
• Then her father took the bottle and the cork-screw into his hands. tree →

Note

Screw up (informal) is fine with friends but not in formal writing; «screw you» is rude. Some uses of screw are vulgar slang; avoid them at school. A screwdriver is the tool. Most screws tighten clockwise.