Definition of screw verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

screw

verb

skruː

skruː

1 [transitive] screw something + adverb/preposition to fasten one thing to another or make something tight with a screw or screwsThe bookcase is screwed to the wall.You need to screw all the parts together.Now screw down the lid. compare unscrew

2 [transitive] to twist something around in order to fasten it in placescrew something + adverb/preposition She screwed the cap back on the jar.screw something + adjective Screw the bolt tight. compare unscrew

3 [intransitive] (+ adverb/preposition) to be attached by screwingThe 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 ballscrew 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 also screwed-up5 [transitive] (slang) to cheat somebody, especially by making them pay too much money for somethingscrew somebody We've been screwed.screw somebody for something How much did they screw you for (= how much did you have to pay)?6 [intransitive, transitive] screw (somebody) (taboo, slang) to have sex with somebody

Idioms

screw him, you, that, etc.

(taboo, slang) an offensive way of showing that you are annoyed or do not care about somebody/something

screw up your courage

to force yourself to be brave enough to do something

I finally screwed up my courage and went to the dentist.

more at have your head screwed on at head noun

Phrasal verbs

screw around

(taboo, slang) to have sex with a lot of different people

screw something from/out of somebody

to force somebody to give you somethingThey screwed the money out of her by threats.

screw up

(slang, especially North American English) to do something badly or spoil something

Synonym

mess upYou really screwed up there! related noun screw-up

screw somebody up

(slang) to upset or confuse somebody so much that they are not able to deal with problems in their lifeHer father's death really screwed her up. see also screwed-up

screw something up

1 to fasten something with screwsto screw up a crate2 (British English) to fasten something by turning itI screwed up the jar and put it back on the shelf.3 (slang) to do something badly or spoil somethingDon't screw it up this time.It was his life and if he screwed it up—too bad! related noun screw-up

screw your eyes/face up

to contract the muscles of your eyes or face because the light is too strong, you are in pain, etcHe took a sip of the medicine and screwed up his face.