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Definition of screw verb from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

     

    screw

     verb
    verb
    NAmE//skru//
     
    Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they screw
     
     he / she / it screws
     
     past simple screwed
     
     -ing form screwing
     
     
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  1. 1[transitive] screw something + adv./prep. to fasten one thing to another or make something tight with a screw or screws The bookcase is screwed to the wall. You need to screw all the parts together. Now screw down the lid. compare unscrew
  2. 2[transitive] to twist something around in order to fasten it in place screw something + adv./prep. She screwed the cap back on the jar. screw something + adj. Screw the bolt tight. compare unscrew
  3. 3[intransitive] (+ adv./prep.) to be attached by screwing The bulb should just screw into the socket. The lid simply screws on.
  4. 4[transitive] to squeeze something, especially a piece of paper, into a tight ball screw 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 screwed-up
  5. 5[transitive] (slang) to cheat someone, especially by making them pay too much money for something screw somebody We've been screwed. screw somebody for something How much did they screw you for (= how much did you have to pay)?
    6. Idioms
    have your head screwed on (straight/right), get/have/keep your head on straight/right (informal)
     
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    to be a sensible person I kept my head on straight and did what I had to.
    screw up your courage
     
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    to force yourself to be brave enough to do something I finally screwed up my courage and went to the dentist.     Phrasal Verbsscrew aroundscrew around withscrew out ofscrew upscrew your eyes
See screw in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
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