screw

[skruː]

screw Definition

• 1. a thin, pointed metal rod with a spiral groove running down its length and a slotted head, used to join things together by being rotated so that it pierces wood or other material and is held tightly in place
• 2. a simple machine of the inclined-plane type consisting of a spirally grooved solid cylinder and a correspondingly grooved hollow cylinder into which it fits and through which it is turned to transmit power or motion
• 3. a prison guard

Using screw: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "screw" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  I need a screw to fix the shelf.

• Example

  The screw on the lid is too tight.

• Example

  The screw on the clamp holds the workpiece securely.

• Example

  The screw on the vise is used to hold the workpiece in place.

• Example

  The screw on the bottle opener is broken.

• Example

  The screw on the light bulb is loose.

screw Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for screw

• bolt
• fastener
• nail
• peg
• rivet

Idioms Using screw

• tighten the screws

  to increase pressure or control over a situation or person

  Example

  The boss tightened the screws on the employees to meet the deadline.

• loose screw

  a crazy or mentally unstable person

  Example

  I think he has a few loose screws in his head.

• put the screws on

  to apply pressure or force to get someone to do something

  Example

  The police put the screws on the suspect to confess.

Phrases with screw

• screw up

  to make a mistake or do something wrong

  Example

  I screwed up the presentation by forgetting my notes.

• screw around

  to waste time or fool around instead of doing something productive

  Example

  Stop screwing around and get to work!

• screw off

  to leave or go away, often in a rude or dismissive manner

  Example

  He told me to screw off when I asked him for help.

Origins of screw

from Old French 'escroue', meaning 'nut, cylindrical socket'

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Summary: screw in Brief

The term 'screw' [skruː] refers to a pointed metal rod with a spiral groove, used to join things together. It can also refer to a simple machine of the inclined-plane type, or a prison guard. The phrase 'screw up' means to make a mistake, while 'screw around' means to waste time. 'Screw off' means to leave rudely. Idioms include 'tighten the screws,' meaning to increase pressure, 'loose screw,' meaning a crazy person, and 'put the screws on,' meaning to apply pressure to get someone to do something.