screw up

screw someone or something up

Inf. to interfere with someone or something; to mess up someone or something. Try again and don't screw it up this time. You really screwed up my brother by not being on time.

See also: screw, up

screw someone up

Inf. to confuse someone mentally. Please don't screw me up again! You screwed up my train of thought.

See also: screw, up

screw something up

to attach something to a higher place by the use of screws. The bracket holding the shelf up has come loose. Will you please screw it up again? Please screw up this loose bracket.

See also: screw, up

screw up 

1. Inf. to mess up. I hope I don't screw up this time. The waiter screwed up again.

2. Inf. a mess; a blunder; utter confusion. (Usually Screw-up.) This is the chef's screw-up, not mine. One more screw-up like that and you're fired.

See also: screw, up

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screw up (something) also screw something up

to spoil or damage something You couldn't screw up much worse than I did. Somehow the lawyer screwed up my appointment again. This is detailed work, and people screw it up once in a while.

See also: screw, up

screw up somebody also screw somebody up

to confuse or hurt someone She really screwed him up when she left him. Their parents' divorce really screwed up the kids.

See also: screw, up