screws
screws — noun
1. a thin piece of metal with a raised spiral line around it. You push a screw into
a thin piece of metal with a raised spiral line around it. You push a screw into wood, metal, or plastic by turning it with a special tool so it holds pieces of material firmly together.
Elena used an electric drill to drive the screws into the wooden shelf.
drive a screw into [material]
The screws holding the picture frame to the wall had come loose.
Liang bought a box of small stainless steel screws for the kitchen cabinet hinges.
You need longer screws if you are going through thick wooden boards.
A few screws fell out of the old chair, so Hugo tightened them all with a screwdriver.
- bolt
a larger threaded fastener, usually used with a nut on the other side, not pointed like a screw
文法句型
a screw
screws + verb (hold/join/fasten)
用法筆記
Screws differ from nails: screws have a spiral thread and require turning, while nails are straight and are hit with a hammer.
常見錯誤
2. one of the six basic machines in physics. It is made of a long sloping surface t
one of the six basic machines in physics. It is made of a long sloping surface that winds around a central rod so that a small turning force can move a heavy object a short distance.
In physics class, the teacher explained how a screw works as an inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder.
A car jack uses the mechanical advantage of a screw to lift the weight of a vehicle.
mechanical advantage of a screw
The students built a model to show how the simple machine called a screw makes lifting easier.
Hassan learned that a screw is one of the six classical simple machines, together with the lever and the pulley.
文法句型
the screw (as a concept)
用法筆記
This is a technical physics sense. In everyday conversation, 'screw' almost always refers to the metal fastener (sense 1).
3. the set of spinning blades at the back of a ship or boat that push it through th
the set of spinning blades at the back of a ship or boat that push it through the water by turning.
The ferry's screw churned the dark water into white foam as the ship pulled away from the dock.
Divers checked the ship's screw for damage after it hit a submerged log near the port.
check a ship's screw for damage
Indra could feel the vibration through the floor when the boat's screw started turning.
The old fishing boat had a single screw at the back, driven by a diesel engine.
- propeller
more general term used for ships, planes, and fans. 'Screw' is mostly nautical and formal.
文法句型
the screw
a ship's screw
用法筆記
On large ships 'propeller' is more common; 'screw' is used in technical or nautical contexts.
4. a person who works as a guard in a prison. This word is considered very informal
a person who works as a guard in a prison. This word is considered very informal and may be offensive to prison officers.
The old convict told the newcomer to watch out for the screws during the evening head count.
In prison movies, the screws are often shown as harsh and unfriendly characters.
Samir whispered to his cellmate that a screw was walking down the hallway.
The novelist, who spent five years in prison, described the screws with surprising sympathy.
- prison guard
neutral, formal term
- corrections officer
official title, polite and professional
文法句型
the screws
a screw
用法筆記
This term is prison slang. Using it in normal conversation can sound offensive. The neutral terms are 'prison guard' or 'corrections officer'.
5. a rude and offensive word for an act of having sex, or for a person considered a
a rude and offensive word for an act of having sex, or for a person considered as a sexual partner. This term is very vulgar and should be avoided in polite conversation.
The comedian's jokes about having a good screw offended many people in the audience.
In the novel, a character bragged about being a great screw, which made the other characters laugh at him.
That old movie uses the word 'screw' to mean sex, but nobody says it that way in public anymore.
The reality TV star admitted to several drunken screws during the reunion special.
His grandmother walked out of the theatre when the character talked about having a screw.
文法句型
have a screw
a good screw
用法筆記
This is one of the strongest vulgar terms in English. Use is limited to very informal or offensive contexts. The neutral term is 'have sex' or 'sexual intercourse'.
6. strong pressure or force used to make someone do what you want, especially by th
strong pressure or force used to make someone do what you want, especially by threatening them or making things difficult for them.
When Ayana refused to sign, the company really put the screws on her by cutting her pay.
put the screws on [someone]
The landlord tightened the screws by threatening to evict the tenants who complained about the heating.
The government began to put the screws on businesses that did not follow the new safety rules.
Yael felt the screws turning when her boss demanded the report by the next morning.
文法句型
put the screws on [someone]
the screws are on
用法筆記
Almost always used in the phrase 'put the screws on (someone)' or 'tighten the screws'. Rarely used alone as a simple noun.
常見錯誤
7. something shaped like a spiral or twisted around like the thread of a metal fast
something shaped like a spiral or twisted around like the thread of a metal fastener — for example, a corkscrew or a thin curl of smoke rising in the air.
The bartender pulled the cork out with a silver screw that had a long spiral end.
A thin screw of smoke rose from the campfire into the cold night air.
The pasta had the shape of a tight screw, which held the sauce perfectly in its grooves.
Layla twisted her hair into a screw and pinned it up at the back of her head.
The pastry chef shaped the dough into long thin screws before baking them golden brown.
文法句型
a screw of [something]
用法筆記
This sense is often used for things whose spiral shape reminds people of a screw thread, not for mechanical fasteners.
screws — verb
- screwspresent simple I / you / we / they
- screwses3rd person singular
- screwsing-ing form
- screwsedpast simple
1. to attach or close something by turning it like a screw, or by using a screw and
to attach or close something by turning it like a screw, or by using a screw and a tool such as a screwdriver, so that it stays firmly in place.
Elena screwed the new hinges onto the cupboard door while her brother held it steady.
The shelf was screwed directly into the wall with heavy-duty anchors.
passive: be screwed into [surface]
Hassan screwed the battery compartment shut before placing the toy back on the shelf.
Carefully screw the legs onto the tabletop, making sure each one is straight.
Devika screwed the hook into the ceiling and hung the plant basket from it.
- unscrew
to remove by turning in the opposite direction
文法句型
screw + [object] + onto/into/to [surface]
用法筆記
Can be used with onto, into, to, or together. The tool most commonly used is a screwdriver or a drill.
常見錯誤
2. to turn something in a circular movement, or to move in a twisting way, like fol
to turn something in a circular movement, or to move in a twisting way, like following the spiral path of a screw thread.
Samir screwed the lid back onto the jar of pickles and put it in the refrigerator.
The nozzle screws onto the end of the hose with a simple clockwise turn.
screw(s) onto [object]
Justin screwed the light bulb into the socket until it was snug but not too tight.
The drill bit screwed its way slowly through the thick metal plate.
Greta screwed her heel into the ground to steady herself on the muddy hill.
- unscrew
to remove by twisting in the opposite direction
文法句型
screw + [object] + into [position]
screw + around/in/out
用法筆記
Frequently used with particles like 'on', 'off', 'in', 'out', 'down'. The direction is shown by context: 'screw on/off' for lids, 'screw in/out' for bulbs or plugs.
常見錯誤
3. to treat someone badly by lying, cheating, or taking advantage of them, causing
to treat someone badly by lying, cheating, or taking advantage of them, causing them to lose money, opportunity, or respect.
The used-car dealer screwed Sayaka by selling her a car that broke down the next day.
Anong felt that her business partner had screwed her out of her fair share of the profits.
screw [someone] out of [something]
If you don't read the contract carefully, the company might screw you on the hidden fees.
The workers were angry because the foreman had screwed them over by keeping their overtime pay.
Vikram got screwed when the online store charged him double without sending the goods.
- treat fairly
neutral expression, the opposite of cheating someone
文法句型
screw [someone]
screw [someone] out of [something]
用法筆記
Very common in informal speech. The passive pattern 'get screwed' (meaning 'be treated unfairly') is especially frequent. This sense is milder than the vulgar slang sense (verb/4) but still informal.
4. a very offensive and vulgar word meaning to have sex with someone. This word is
a very offensive and vulgar word meaning to have sex with someone. This word is rude and should not be used in polite conversation or writing.
The character in the film bragged that he had screwed half the people in the village.
The teenagers snickered when they found a note that said someone had screwed their ex.
Wei walked into the hotel room and found her boyfriend screwing a stranger on the bed.
Sade caught her husband screwing the neighbour and threw his clothes out the window.
- have sex with
neutral and standard; appropriate in all contexts
- sleep with
common euphemism, polite
文法句型
screw [someone]
用法筆記
This is one of the strongest vulgar terms in English. Extremely offensive in formal, professional, or polite settings. Common euphemisms are 'sleep with', 'go to bed with', or 'have sex with'.
5. to twist your face or part of your body into a tight, unnatural shape, especiall
to twist your face or part of your body into a tight, unnatural shape, especially when showing pain, effort, or strong dislike.
Lara screwed up her face when she tasted the sour lemon juice.
screw up one's face — common collocation
The little boy screwed his eyes shut and covered his ears during the loud thunderstorm.
Reema screwed her mouth into a tight frown as she read the bill.
Marco screwed up his face in concentration while trying to solve the difficult maths problem.
- wrinkle
gentler; describes lines on the skin rather than a dramatic twist
- contort
more formal; describes a violent or painful twist
- scrunched up
informal, very similar meaning
- relax
to let the face return to a normal, untwisted position
文法句型
screw up [face/eyes]
screw [face] into [expression]
用法筆記
Almost always used with 'up' when referring to the face ('screw up your face'). With other body parts, 'up' is not used: 'screw your eyes shut'.
常見錯誤
6. to increase the force, strength, or amount of something, especially your courage
to increase the force, strength, or amount of something, especially your courage or determination to face a difficult situation.
Sari screwed up her courage and walked onto the stage to give her speech.
screw up one's courage — set phrase
The band screwed up the volume for the final song of the concert.
Adina screwed up her nerve to ask her boss for a day off just a month into the job.
The coach told the team to screw up their determination for the second half of the game.
文法句型
screw up [courage/nerve]
screw up [intensity/volume]
用法筆記
Most commonly used in the fixed phrase 'screw up (one's) courage/nerve'. For physical volume or intensity, 'turn up' or 'increase' are more common in everyday speech.