a metal fastener having a tapered shank with a helical thread, and topped with a slotted head, driven into wood or the like by rotating, especially by means of a screwdriver.
2.
a threaded cylindrical pin or rod with a head at one end, engaging a threaded hole and used either as a fastener or as a simple machine for applying power, as in a clamp, jack, etc. Compare bolt1(def. 3).
to be adapted for being connected, taken apart, opened, or closed by means of a screw or screws or parts with helical threads (usually followed by on, together, or off): This top screws on easily.
26.
to turn or move with a twisting or rotating motion.
27.
to practice extortion.
28.
Slang:Vulgar. to have coitus.
Verb phrases
29.
screw around, Slang.
a.
to waste time in foolish or frivolous activity: If you'd stop screwing around we could get this job done.
to ruin through bungling or stupidity: Somehow the engineers screwed up the entire construction project.
b.
to make a botch of something; blunder.
c.
to make confused, anxious, or neurotic.
Idioms
32.
have a screw loose, Slang. to be eccentric or neurotic; have crazy ideas: You must have a screw loose to keep so many cats.
33.
put the screws on, to compel by exerting pressure on; use coercion on; force: They kept putting the screws on him for more money.
Origin: 1375–1425; late Middle English scrwe, screw(e) (noun); compare Middle French escro(ue) nut, Middle Dutch schrûve,Middle High German schrûbe screw
"to twist (something) like a screw," 1599, from screw (n.). Slang meaning "to copulate" dates from at least 1725, on the notion of driving a screw into something. Meaning "a prostitute" also is attested from 1725. Slang meaning "an act of copulation" (n.) is recorded from
tv. & in. to copulate [with] someone. (Very old. Usually objectionable.) : The sailor wanted to screw somebody bad.
tv. & in. to cheat or deceive someone. : You can count on somebody screwing you at a traveling carnival.
n. an act of copulation. (Usually objectionable.) : The sailor said he needed a good screw.
n. a person with whom one can copulate. (Usually objectionable.) : His teeth are crooked and his hands are callused, but he's a good screw.
n. a jailer. (Very old. Underworld.) : See if you can get the screw's attention.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition. Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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