A screw is a metal object similar to a nail, with a raised spiral line around it. You turn a screw using a screwdriver so that it goes through two things, for example two pieces of wood, and fastens them together.

If you screw something somewhere or if it screws somewhere, you fix it in place by means of a screw or screws.

A screw lid or fitting is one that has a raised spiral line on the inside or outside of it, so that it can be fixed in place by twisting.

If you screw something somewhere or if it screws somewhere, you fix it in place by twisting it round and round.

If you screw something such as a piece of paper into a ball, you squeeze it or twist it tightly so that it is in the shape of a ball.

If you screw your face or your eyes into a particular expression, you tighten the muscles of your face to form that expression, for example because you are in pain or because the light is too bright.

If someone screws someone else or if two people screw, they have sex together.

Some people use screw in expressions such as screw you or screw that to show that they are not concerned about someone or something or that they feel contempt for them.

If someone says that they have been screwed, they mean that someone else has cheated them, especially by getting money from them dishonestly.

If someone screws something, especially money, out of you, they get it from you by putting pressure on you.

Prisoners often refer to prison officers as screws .

A screw is a propeller on a ship or an aircraft.

If you turn or tighten the screw on someone, you increase the pressure which is already on them, for example by using threats, in order to force them to do a particular thing.

You can refer to each of a series of threats or actions which are intended to force someone to do a particular thing as another turn of the screw .