tighten the screws on

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tighten the screws on somebody/something also put the screws on somebody/something

to make it harder for someone to do something Government agencies need to tighten the screws on illegal immigrants. We are putting the screws on that country to end its history of helping terrorists.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form put the screws to someone or something: The owners could really put the screws to the players.

See also: screw, tighten

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North Korea's military provocations this year angered its ally China but Beijing remains reluctant to tighten the screws on Pyongyang, an influential think-tank said Tuesday. China won't pressure North Korea: think-tank by AFP / AFP Asian Edition Russia, which is helping the Islamic Republic construct its first nuclear plant in the southern city of Bushehr, has long resisted US-led moves to tighten the screws on Tehran through international sanctions. Sanctions 'sometimes necessary', Medvedev on Iran by AFP / AFP Global Edition The legislation looks to tighten the screws on the Islamic republic, which imports about 40 percent of its gasoline, by targeting firms that finance gasoline exports to Iran, or either ship or insure the exports. US senators seek broader Iran sanctions by AFP / AFP American Edition			tie in tie in a knot tie in knots tie in with tie into tie off tie one on tie onto tie the knot tie to tie traffic up tie up tied down tied to mother's apron strings tied up tiger tight tight as a drum tight as a tick tight as Dick's hatband tight race tighten tighten belt tighten on tighten the reins tighten the screws on tighten up tightfisted til the cows come home till till hell freezes over till kingdom come till the fat lady sings tilt tilt at windmills tilt back tilt to tilt toward timber time time after time time and again Time and tide wait for no man time flies Time flies when you're having fun time for time for a change time hangs heavy Time hangs heavy on hands time has come time in			tight-mouthed Tight-rope Tight-rope walker Tight-rope walking tightarsed tightass tighten tighten tighten tighten tighten (one's) belt tighten (one's) belt tighten (one's) belt tighten (one's) belt tighten belt tighten belt tighten belt tighten belt tighten belt tighten on tighten one's belt tighten the purse strings tighten the purse strings tighten the reins tighten the screw tighten the screw tighten the screw tighten the screws tighten the screws tighten the screws tighten the screws on tighten up tighten up tightened tightened tightened tightened tightened belt tightened belt tightened belt tightened belt tightened the purse strings tightened the purse strings tightened the screw tightened the screw tightened the screw tightened the screws tightened the screws tightened the screws tightener tightener tightener tightening tightening tightening tightening tightening belt tightening belt tightening belt tightening belt Tightening pulley

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