- 1[transitive] screw something + adv./prep. to fasten one thing to another or make something tight with a screw or screws The bookcase is screwed to the wall. You need to screw all the parts together. Now screw down the lid. compare unscrew
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- 2[transitive] to twist something around in order to fasten it in place screw something + adv./prep. She screwed the cap back on the jar. screw something + adj. Screw the bolt tight. compare unscrew
- 3[intransitive] (+ adv./prep.) to be attached by screwing The bulb should just screw into the socket. The lid simply screws on.
- 4[transitive] to squeeze something, especially a piece of paper, into a tight ball screw something up (into something) I screwed up the letter and threw it into the fire. screw something (up) into something Screw the foil into a little ball. see screwed-up
- 5[transitive] (slang) to cheat someone, especially by making them pay too much money for something screw somebody We've been screwed. screw somebody for something How much did they screw you for (= how much did you have to pay)? Idioms
screw
verbNAmE//skru//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they screw he / she / it screws
past simple screwed
-ing form screwing
have your head screwed on (straight/right), get/have/keep your head on straight/right (informal) jump to other results
to force yourself to be brave enough to do something I finally screwed up my courage and went to the dentist. Phrasal Verbsscrew aroundscrew around withscrew out ofscrew upscrew your eyes
Check pronunciation: screw