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screw2
1 to attach one thing to another using a screw [↪ nail]
attach
[transitive always + adverb/preposition]TBC screw something into/onto/to something
The chairs were screwed to the floor.
The wooden frame should be screwed onto the wall.
The chairs were screwed to the floor.
The wooden frame should be screwed onto the wall.2 to fasten or close something by turning it, or to be fastened in this way [≠ unscrew]
close by turning
[intransitive,transitive always + adverb/preposition] screw (something) on/onto something
The lens screws onto the front of the camera.
She carefully screwed the cap back onto the toothpaste.
The lens screws onto the front of the camera.
She carefully screwed the cap back onto the toothpaste.3 to twist paper or cloth into a small round shape :
She screwed the letter up and threw it in the bin.
paper/cloth
[transitive always + adverb/preposition] also screw up
She screwed the letter up and threw it in the bin.4 an offensive word meaning to have sex with someone
sex
[intransitive and transitive] taboo5 an offensive expression used to show that you are very angry with someone
screw you/him etc
spoken not polite6 to cheat someone in order to get money from them
cheat
[transitive] not polite➔ have your head screwed on (straight)
at head1 (3c)screw around
phrasal verb1 informal to do silly things that may cause trouble [= mess around]:
The kids were screwing around down by the bus station.
The kids were screwing around down by the bus station.2 not polite an offensive expression meaning to have sex with a lot of different people
screw up
phrasal verb1 informal to make a bad mistake or do something very stupid [= mess up]:
You'd better not screw up this time.
You'd better not screw up this time.2 to spoil something by doing something stupid [= mess something up]:
She realized that she had screwed up her life.
screw something ↔ up
informal
She realized that she had screwed up her life.3 to move the muscles in your face in a way that makes your eyes seem narrow :
He screwed up his eyes against the bright light.
Her face was screwed up with pain.
screw up your eyes/face
He screwed up his eyes against the bright light.
Her face was screwed up with pain.4 to make someone feel very unhappy, confused, or upset so that they have emotional problems for a long time [= mess somebody up]:
It really screwed her up when her mother died. ➔ screwed up
screw somebody ↔ up
informal
It really screwed her up when her mother died.5 to be brave enough to do something you are very nervous about :
I finally screwed up enough courage to talk to her.
screw up the/enough courage to do something
also screw up your courage
I finally screwed up enough courage to talk to her.