twist

Everyday

1. To turn something round, like twisting a lid off a jar or twisting a key. tree →
2. To bend or wind things around each other, like twisting threads into a rope. tree →
3. To hurt a joint by turning it the wrong way: twist your ankle. tree →
4. A noun for a sudden change, especially a surprising change in a story: a plot twist. tree →
5. A bend or curve, as in the twists and turns of a road. tree →
6. To wriggle your body through a narrow gap. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and safety, you twist lids, taps and doorknobs; childproof lids need you to push and twist. A twisted ankle is a common sports injury: rest it, ice it and tell an adult. In stories, a twist is a surprise the reader did not expect. In science, a tornado twists, and DNA is a twisted ladder shape. Phrases: "twist the lid off", "twist your ankle", "a twist in the tale", "twists and turns", "twist someone's arm" (persuade them).

Examples

• Twist the lid to open the jar. tree →
• I twisted my ankle playing netball. tree →
• The story had a twist at the end: the ghost was the cat. tree →
• The path twists through the woods. tree →
• Twist the two pipe cleaners together. tree →
• She twisted her hair into a bun. tree →
• The tornado twisted the trees out of the ground. tree →
• Okay, you twisted my arm — I'll have another biscuit. tree →
• How was he to twist himself through! tree →

Note

Regular verb: twisted, twisting. "Turn" and "twist" overlap, but "twist" usually means turning with force or winding. A twisted ankle is also called a sprain. "To twist someone's words" means to change their meaning unfairly. "Twist someone's arm" is an idiom, not real arm-twisting.

In Jewish tradition

In Deuteronomy it describes the twisted cords, tassels, that Israelites make on their garments' corners.

Interpretation. Tradition calls these tassels tzitzit, and wearing them reminds a person of all the commandments.

Examples

• Thou shalt make thee twisted cords upon the four corners of thy covering, wherewith thou coverest thyself. (Torah DEU.22.12, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Regular verb: twisted, twisting. "Turn" and "twist" overlap, but "twist" usually means turning with force or winding. A twisted ankle is also called a sprain. "To twist someone's words" means to change their meaning unfairly. "Twist someone's arm" is an idiom, not real arm-twisting.