screw
screw — verb
1. to fix or attach an object to a surface or to another object by turning a screw
to fix or attach an object to a surface or to another object by turning a screw through it with a tool such as a screwdriver or drill.
Bilal screwed the wooden shelf onto the wall with four long screws.
screw + noun + onto + surface
Abigail carefully screwed the broken handle back onto the old cupboard door.
The metal sign was screwed directly into the brick wall next to the entrance.
Lauren screwed the hinge into the door frame before hanging the new door.
Eli needed a power drill to screw the bracket into the concrete floor.
文法句型
screw + noun + to/onto + surface
screw + noun + into + surface
用法筆記
The object being attached usually has pre-drilled holes or the screw creates its own hole as it goes in. Common tools for this action are screwdrivers and power drills. The preposition that follows indicates the surface ('into', 'onto', 'to').
常見錯誤
2. to push a thin, pointed object into a surface or container by turning it round a
to push a thin, pointed object into a surface or container by turning it round and round, using a motion like that of a screw.
Dewi screwed the corkscrew into the cork and pulled it out gently.
screw + corkscrew + into + cork
Anjali screwed the metal hook into the ceiling to hang the plant pot.
Andrés screwed the auger bit into the wood to drill a narrow hole.
Erik screwed the light bulb into the socket until it felt snug and secure.
文法句型
screw + noun + into + noun
用法筆記
Used when the inserted object has threads or a spiral shape, or when a turning motion is the main method of insertion. The object being screwed in is typically something like a corkscrew, hook, bulb, or tap — not a standard screw.
常見錯誤
3. If something with a thread (like a screw or a lid) screws in or together, it bec
If something with a thread (like a screw or a lid) screws in or together, it becomes fixed in place by being turned.
The lid of the jar screws on tightly if you turn it all the way.
intransitive: screw on
Beatrix checked whether the lamp base screws into the stand without tools.
The two metal pipes screw together with a simple turning motion.
The cap will not screw on properly because the bottle threads are damaged.
Yasmin found that the new filter screws easily into the kitchen tap.
- come loose
opposite of becoming fixed by turning
- unscrew
to become detached by turning in reverse — also intransitive: 'The lid unscrews easily.'
文法句型
screw + adverb (on / together / in)
screw + preposition + noun
用法筆記
This sense is intransitive — the object itself is the grammatical subject and the action happens to it. Common particles are 'on' (for caps and lids), 'together' (for connecting parts), and 'in' / 'into' (for fittings). This is the only screw sense where the verb does not take a direct object.
常見錯誤
4. to pull the skin and muscles around your eyes, mouth, or nose into a tight twist
to pull the skin and muscles around your eyes, mouth, or nose into a tight twisted shape that shows pain, dislike, or strong concentration.
Erik screwed up his face after tasting the sour lemon juice.
screw up one's face
Beatrix screwed her eyes shut against the harsh morning sunlight.
The old man screwed his mouth into a tight line of strong disapproval.
Bilal screwed up his nose at the terrible smell from the kitchen drain.
Anjali's face was screwed up in concentration as she solved the puzzle.
- scrunch up
informal; suggests a tighter, more compacted expression
- contort
more formal and dramatic; implies a stronger or more painful distortion
- pucker
specific to mouth or lips, usually for a kiss or sour taste
- wince
intransitive; describes a brief, involuntary reaction to pain
文法句型
screw up + possessive + face / eyes / mouth / nose
be screwed into + expression
用法筆記
Almost always used with 'up' as a phrasal verb ('screw up one's face / eyes / mouth / nose'). The object is a part of the face or the whole face. This sense is the only one where 'screw up' refers to a bodily expression rather than crumpling an object or making a mistake.
常見錯誤
5. to press paper or fabric roughly between your hands, rolling and crushing it int
to press paper or fabric roughly between your hands, rolling and crushing it into a tight, uneven ball.
Yasmin screwed the letter into a tight ball and dropped it into the bin.
screw + noun + into a ball
Andrés angrily screwed up the paper and tossed it across the room.
phrasal verb: screw up [paper]
The little girl screwed her drawing into a small wrinkled ball.
Abigail screwed the receipt into her pocket without folding it neatly.
Dewi screwed up the wrapping paper and threw it into the recycling bag.
- smooth out
to remove wrinkles and restore a flat surface
- flatten
to press back into a flat shape
- unfold
to open out what has been folded or crushed
文法句型
screw + noun + into a ball
screw up + noun (paper / fabric / letter)
用法筆記
The particle 'up' ('screw up') is common but not always required — you can also say 'screw something into a ball'. The object must be flexible enough to be crushed by hand: paper, cloth, tissue, or thin plastic. Not used for hard or rigid objects.
常見錯誤
6. to attach or close an object with a threaded opening by turning it round and rou
to attach or close an object with a threaded opening by turning it round and round until it fits tightly into or onto its matching part.
Ramón screwed the cap back onto the water bottle before putting it away.
screw + cap/lid + onto + container
Eli screwed the top onto the paint tin and tapped it shut with a hammer.
The metal lid was screwed so tight that no one could open the jar.
Eri carefully screwed the new camera lens onto the body of the camera.
Lauren screwed the shower head onto the hose and turned on the water.
文法句型
screw + noun + onto + noun (lid onto jar)
screw + noun + on (cap on bottle)
screw + noun + into + noun (filter into tap)
用法筆記
Distinguish this from sense 1: sense 1 involves driving a screw into a surface to attach something, while sense 6 involves turning a threaded object (like a lid, cap, or hose fitting) to connect it to a matching threaded part. The movement is similar but the objects and purpose differ.
常見錯誤
7. to treat someone dishonestly or unfairly, especially by charging them too much m
to treat someone dishonestly or unfairly, especially by charging them too much money or by using trickery to get an advantage over them.
Hui felt the mechanic had screwed her on the cost of the engine repair.
screw + someone + on [cost/price]
Omar warned Nadia not to let the ticket scalper screw her on the price.
The property agent screwed the young couple by hiding the building's flood history.
Sade discovered that her business partner had screwed her out of thousands of dollars.
文法句型
screw + someone + on + [price/amount]
screw + someone + out of + [money/benefit]
用法筆記
Strongly informal slang. The object is typically a person who is overcharged or defrauded. Common patterns are 'screw someone on [price/amount]' and 'screw someone out of [money/benefit]'.
常見錯誤
8. to be sexually involved with another person — a vulgar expression that is widely
to be sexually involved with another person — a vulgar expression that is widely considered offensive and should be avoided in polite conversation.
The office gossip claimed that Otis had screwed a junior staff member during the trip.
slang: screw + someone = have sex with
Valentina's father found her diary entry about screwing her boyfriend — a brutal argument followed.
The film was banned in some countries for showing teenagers screwing in a locker room.
Eitan told his roommate to stop bragging about who he was screwing every weekend.
- have sex with
neutral, clinical — the register is completely different
- sleep with
informal but not vulgar
- shag
British informal slang, less offensive than 'screw'
文法句型
screw + someone
be + screwing (continuous for ongoing relationship)
用法筆記
Extremely vulgar and offensive slang, comparable to the English F-word. Rarely used in polite conversation. The context (sexual partner, ongoing relationship) distinguishes this sense from Sense 7 (cheating). Passive ('be screwed') almost never carries this sense — it defaults to the 'cheated' or 'in trouble' meanings.
常見錯誤
9. to force someone to give you money, property, or a favour by using threats or ap
to force someone to give you money, property, or a favour by using threats or applying extreme pressure.
The landlord screwed an extra month's rent out of Aarav by threatening eviction.
screw [something] + out of [someone] by [threat]
Isabela's ex-boyfriend tried to screw money from her by threatening to share private photos.
screw [money] + from [someone]
The corrupt official screwed bribes out of local business owners by delaying their permits.
Samir's boss screwed a year of unpaid overtime out of him with empty promotion promises.
文法句型
screw + [something] + out of + [someone]
用法筆記
Typically follows the pattern 'screw [something] out of someone'. The extracted item is usually money, a concession, or unpaid work. The subject is typically someone with power or leverage over the victim.
常見錯誤
screw — noun
1. A pointed metal fastener with a spiral thread, designed to be turned with a scre
A pointed metal fastener with a spiral thread, designed to be turned with a screwdriver so that it holds two pieces of wood or plastic together.
Hassan found a loose screw under the kitchen table and tightened it back into place.
collocation: loose screw; screw + tighten into place
The shelf fell off the wall because Tamar had used nails instead of screws.
contrast: nails vs screws for fixing objects
William picked up a long screw and a screwdriver to fix the broken chair leg.
A few small screws held the back panel of the computer case in place.
Mert checked the screws on the bicycle rack before loading the bikes onto the car.
文法句型
a + screw
screw + [preposition] + [object]
用法筆記
Distinguish from nail (smooth, hammered in) and bolt (smooth shaft requiring a nut). Screws create their own thread in the material and are better for wood and plastic.
常見錯誤
2. The turning movement used to close or fix an object by rotating it into a thread
The turning movement used to close or fix an object by rotating it into a threaded position.
With one final screw of the lid, Nellie sealed the jar of homemade jam.
a screw of [object] — one twisting action
The cap needed another full screw before the water bottle stopped leaking.
Tanvi gave the loose handle a quick screw to keep it from falling off.
A careful screw of the nozzle connected the hose firmly to the tap.
文法句型
give + [object] + a + screw
a + screw + of + [object]
用法筆記
Often appears in the pattern 'give [something] a screw' to mean tighten it by turning. This sense is distinct from Sense 1 — it refers to the action itself, not the metal object.
3. An informal slang term for a guard who works in a prison, used mainly by people
An informal slang term for a guard who works in a prison, used mainly by people inside the prison system.
The screws walked through the cell block every hour, counting the prisoners.
plural: the screws = the prison guards
Ada heard a key turn and knew a screw was coming to check on her.
One of the screws ordered everyone back to their cells after the fight broke out.
Dario whispered that the tall screw was the one you did not want to cross.
文法句型
the + screw(s)
a + screw
用法筆記
This is prison slang and should not be used in general or formal conversation about corrections officers. Outside of criminal-justice contexts, readers may misinterpret the word as Sense 1.
常見錯誤
4. A very informal and offensive word for the physical act between two people havin
A very informal and offensive word for the physical act between two people having sex, or for a person considered in that context as a partner.
The novel's main character said his friends only wanted a good screw for the night.
a good screw = a sexual partner (vulgar)
In the film, the two characters end up having a quick screw in a car.
have a screw = have sex (vulgar)
The comedian's jokes were filled with old-fashioned slang like calling someone an easy screw.
The tabloid article used crude language and talked about celebrities and their latest screws.
- intercourse
neutral/clinical term; appropriate in all registers
- shag
similar vulgarity level; British informal
文法句型
have a + screw
a + good/great + screw
用法筆記
This is marked as vulgar/offensive. Strongly avoid in any formal, academic, or polite context. Even in informal speech, it can be considered crude. The verb sense (screw someone) is more common than the noun.
常見錯誤
❌ Using this sense in any setting where polite language is expected. It should be restricted to fiction dialogue, reported speech, or contexts where vulgar slang is explicitly discussed.
5. A historical instrument of torture, also known as thumbscrew, with a metal clamp
A historical instrument of torture, also known as thumbscrew, with a metal clamp and a screw that was tightened slowly to crush the victim's thumb or fingers.
The museum displayed an iron screw from the 1600s with its original handle.
historical context: museum display
During the trial, the accused was threatened with the screw unless he confessed.
Historians describe the screw as one of the most feared devices in medieval torture chambers.
The guide explained how the screw was tightened turn by turn to inflict pain.
- thumbscrew
the full modern term for this device; much more common than 'screw' alone
文法句型
the + screw
a + screw
用法筆記
This sense is almost always written as 'thumbscrew' in modern English. The short form 'screw' for this device is rare outside historical texts and crossword puzzles.
6. A set of angled blades that spin rapidly underwater to push a boat or ship forwa
A set of angled blades that spin rapidly underwater to push a boat or ship forward through the water.
The ship's screw got tangled in a fishing net, so the crew stopped the engines.
ship's screw = nautical propeller
Divers inspected the enormous bronze screw at the back of the cargo vessel.
collocation: bronze screw; at the back of [ship]
The ferry's twin screws churned the harbour water into white foam as it departed.
Without a functioning screw, the old fishing boat could not move against the strong current.
- propeller
the standard modern term; 'screw' is older and more technical
文法句型
the + screw
a + screw
ship's + screw
用法筆記
In modern nautical use, 'propeller' is far more common. 'Screw' for this purpose is mainly found in older maritime literature, technical manuals, and naval terminology.