twist
verb/twɪst/
/twɪst/
Verb Forms
Idioms Phrasal Verbs| present simple I / you / we / they twist | /twɪst/ /twɪst/ |
| he / she / it twists | /twɪsts/ /twɪsts/ |
| past simple twisted | /ˈtwɪstɪd/ /ˈtwɪstɪd/ |
| past participle twisted | /ˈtwɪstɪd/ /ˈtwɪstɪd/ |
| -ing form twisting | /ˈtwɪstɪŋ/ /ˈtwɪstɪŋ/ |
- [transitive] twist something (into something) to bend or turn something into a particular shape
- Twist the wire to form a circle.
- Her hair was twisted into a knot on top of her head.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- slightly
- gently
- quickly
- …
- around
- round
- into
- …
- twist and turn
- twist (yourself) free
- twist something out of shape
- …
- [transitive, intransitive] to bend or turn something into a shape or position that is not normal or natural; to be bent or turned in this way
- twist something (+ adv./prep.) He grabbed me and twisted my arm behind my back.
- + adv./prep. Her face twisted in anger.
Extra Examples- Her mouth was twisted out of shape by grief.
- His mouth twisted bitterly.
- My stomach twisted into knots.
- Nicola's face twisted into a grimace of disgust.
- The bike was just a heap of twisted metal.
- The boy's leg was twisted back painfully.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- slightly
- gently
- quickly
- …
- around
- round
- into
- …
- twist and turn
- twist (yourself) free
- twist something out of shape
- …
- [transitive, intransitive] to turn part of your body around while the rest stays still
- twist something (+ adv./prep.) He twisted his head around to look at her.
- + adv./prep. She twisted in her chair when I called her name.
Extra Examples- Hold your arms out to the sides and twist your upper body.
- He twisted sideways to face her.
- Tim twisted round and glared at her.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- slightly
- gently
- quickly
- …
- around
- round
- into
- …
- twist and turn
- twist (yourself) free
- twist something out of shape
- …
- [intransitive, transitive] to turn your body with quick, sharp movements and change direction often
- I twisted and turned to avoid being caught.
- + adv./prep. She tried unsuccessfully to twist free.
- twist something/yourself + adv./prep. He managed to twist himself round in the restricted space.
Extra Examples- She fired again and saw the creature twist violently.
- Rachel twisted and turned in her sleep.
- The prisoner twisted in his seat, trying to free the ropes around his wrists.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- slightly
- gently
- quickly
- …
- around
- round
- into
- …
- twist and turn
- twist (yourself) free
- twist something out of shape
- …
- [transitive] twist something (+ adv./prep.) to turn something around in a circle with your hand
- Twist the knob to the left to open the door.
- Nervously I twisted the ring on my finger.
Extra Examples- She placed her hand on the doorknob and twisted slowly.
- Try twisting the handle to the right.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- slightly
- gently
- quickly
- …
- around
- round
- into
- …
- twist and turn
- twist (yourself) free
- twist something out of shape
- …
- [intransitive] to bend and change direction often
- The road twists and turns along the coast.
- narrow twisting streets
- a twisting staircase
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- slightly
- gently
- quickly
- …
- around
- round
- into
- …
- twist and turn
- twist (yourself) free
- twist something out of shape
- …
- [transitive] twist something to injure part of your body, especially your ankle, wrist or knee, bending it in an uncomfortable way
- She fell and twisted her ankle.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- slightly
- gently
- quickly
- …
- around
- round
- into
- …
- twist and turn
- twist (yourself) free
- twist something out of shape
- …
- [transitive] twist something (+ adv./prep.) to wind something around or through an object
- She twisted a scarf around her head.
- I twisted the bandage around his leg.
- The telephone cable has got twisted (= wound around itself).
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- slightly
- gently
- quickly
- …
- around
- round
- into
- …
- twist and turn
- twist (yourself) free
- twist something out of shape
- …
- [intransitive] twist (round/around something) to move or grow by winding around something
- A snake was twisting around his arm.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- slightly
- gently
- quickly
- …
- around
- round
- into
- …
- twist and turn
- twist (yourself) free
- twist something out of shape
- …
- [transitive] twist something to deliberately change the meaning of what somebody has said, or to present facts in a particular way, in order to benefit yourself or harm somebody else synonym misrepresent
- You always twist everything I say.
- The newspaper was accused of twisting the facts.
- [transitive] twist something (into something) to turn or wind strings, etc. together to make something longer or thicker
- They had twisted the sheets into a rope and escaped by climbing down it.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- slightly
- gently
- quickly
- …
- around
- round
- into
- …
- twist and turn
- twist (yourself) free
- twist something out of shape
- …
bend into shape
turn body
turn with hand
of roads/rivers
injure part of body
wind around
facts
strings
Word OriginOld English (as a noun), of Germanic origin; probably from the base of twin and twine. Current verb senses date from late Middle English.
Idioms
See twist in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee twist in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishturn/twist the knife (in the wound)
- to say or do something unkind deliberately; to make somebody who is unhappy feel even more unhappy
- Marcia laughed as she twisted the knife still deeper.
- Just to twist the knife, the filmmakers have provided a surprise ending.
twist somebody’s arm
- (informal) to persuade or force somebody to do somethingTopics Discussion and agreementc1
twist/wrap/wind somebody around your little finger
- (informal) to persuade somebody to do anything that you want
- She has always been able to twist her parents around her little finger.
Check pronunciation:
twist