twist (redirected from twisted)

be bitter and twisted

to be angry and unhappy, usually because you are unable to forget bad things which have happened to you in the past. I had a difficult childhood, but there's no point getting all bitter and twisted about it.

See also: bitter

drive/send someone round the twist (British & Australian, informal)

to make someone very angry, especially by continuing to do something annoying. This non-stop banging is driving me round the twist. A day with my mother is enough to send anyone round the twist.

See also: drive, round, send

get your knickers in a twist (British & Australian, informal, Australian, informal)

to become very upset about something, usually something that is not important. Now, before you get your knickers in a twist, let me explain the situation.

leave someone to twist in the wind (American)

if someone is left to twist in the wind, they are left in a very difficult situation by the actions of another person. The director resigned and left the rest of the department twisting in the wind, waiting to see if the project would continue.

See also: leave, wind

round the twist (British & Australian, informal)

crazy. She's completely round the twist - just sits there all day talking to herself. I put the milk in the cupboard and the sugar in the fridge. I think I'm going round the twist.

See also: round

a turn/twist of the knife

turn/twist the knife - to do or say something unpleasant which makes someone who is already upset feel worse. 'I never loved you', she said, with a final twist of the knife.

See also: knife, turn

turn/twist the knife

to do or say something unpleasant which makes someone who is already upset feel worse. Having made the poor girl cry, he twisted the knife by saying she was weak and unable to cope with pressure.

See also: knife, turn

twist someone's arm

to persuade someone to do something that they do not want to do. He might help us with the painting if you twist his arm. 'Have a cream cake?' 'Oh, go on then, if you twist my arm.' (humorous)

See also: arm

twist/wrap someone around/round your little finger

to be able to persuade someone to do anything you want, usually because they like you so much. He'd do anything you asked him to. You've got him wrapped around your little finger!

See also: around, finger, little, round, wrap

---

twist someone's arm

to strongly encourage someone to do something they do not want to do. If he doesn't want to go, you've just got to twist his arm to get him to do it.

See also: arm

(leave someone to) twist in the wind

1. to keep someone waiting for a decision or answer. Carolyn was left twisting in the wind for about a week, and so were several other people who interviewed for the job.

2. to be forced to exist without support or help. Some workers were fired and left to twist in the wind after many years on the job. People know she's ambitious and are afraid she might leave the company twisting in the wind if a better job came along.

See also: wind

twist the knife

to do or say something to make a situation worse. He caused McCarthy to make a fool of himself, and then twisted the knife by asking, “Have you no decency, sir?”

Usage notes: also used in the form a twist of the knife: When discussing the union, even when he starts by saying positive things George can never resist a twist of the knife.

See also: knife