screw (redirected from tightens the screws)

have a screw loose (informal)

to be crazy. I think that woman has a screw loose - she goes out in her slippers.

See also: loose

have your head screwed on (the right way) (informal)

if someone has their head screwed on the right way, they do not do stupid things. Don't worry about Sal, she'll be all right - she's got her head screwed on the right way.

See also: head

put the screws on someone (informal)

to use force or threats to make someone do what you want. They put the screws on him until eventually he was forced to resign.

screw up your courage

to force yourself to be brave and do something that makes you nervous. She screwed up her courage and asked to see the manager.

See also: courage

tighten/turn the screws on someone (informal)

put the screws on someone - to use force or threats to make someone do what you want. The police are turning the screws on drivers who don't wear their seat belts by fining them.

See also: tighten, turn

a turn of the screw

an action which makes a bad situation worse, especially in order to force someone to do something. Each letter from my bank manager is another turn of the screw.

See also: turn

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have your head screwed on right

to have good judgment. If you have your head screwed on right, you don't complain when you have to work overtime.

See also: head, right

screw around (with someone)

1. to have sex with someone who is not your regular partner. I think I saw the guy that she's been screwing around with.

2. to annoy someone by wasting their time. You'll be sorry if you screw around with Captain Legore.

See also: around

screw around (with something)

to waste time. Stop screwing around and finish your work. They spent the whole morning screwing around with Jeff's motorcycle.

See also: around

screw it

I do not care what happens or what someone does. She didn't want to see the movie, but I thought, screw it, I'm going anyway.

Usage notes: usually used when the speaker is annoyed

screw up (something)

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.

screw up someone

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

screw up (your) courage

to force yourself to be brave. Jimmy screwed up his courage and gave Lisa a heart-shaped box of chocolates on Valentine's Day.

See also: courage

screw up your face

to make an unpleasant expression with your face. “This milk is sour,” she said, screwing up her face.

See also: face

screw you

I am very annoyed by you. You don't like it? Well, screw you!

up yours

tighten the screws on someone/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: tighten