turn of the screw

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiomfigurative

   A fresh action or event that makes an already bad or tense situation even harder to bear.

   Grammar: A noun phrase, usually with another or a before turn: another turn of the screw.

   Patterns

   • another turn of the screw
   • apply a turn of the screw

   The new fee was another turn of the screw for families already struggling with rent.

   Losing the contract was a cruel turn of the screw for the failing firm.

   Each late payment added a turn of the screw to his anxiety.

2. 2phraseidiomfigurative

   A deliberate increase of pressure on someone, to force them to give in or act.

   Grammar: Often follows verbs like give or apply: the lender gave the debtor a turn of the screw.

   Patterns

   • give someone a turn of the screw
   • apply a turn of the screw to someone

   The government applied another turn of the screw to the stubborn company with new fines.

   The union gave management a turn of the screw by announcing a second strike.

   A final turn of the screw from the bank made her sell the house.

Word forms

Common combinations

another turn of the screw

The tax rise was another turn of the screw for small shops.

a further turn of the screw

A further turn of the screw came when the landlord raised the rent.

give the screw another turn

Rival firms gave the screw another turn by cutting prices.

tighten the screw

The agency tightened the screw on late payers.

put the screws on someone

They put the screws on him to confess.

Synonyms and how they differ

escalation

Escalation is a neutral, formal word for a step up, while turn of the screw suggests added pain or pressure.

last straw

Last straw names the final event that makes something unbearable, whereas turn of the screw can be one of many gradual increases.

twist of the knife

Twist of the knife stresses cruelty added to an existing hurt, while turn of the screw stresses mounting pressure.

pressure

Pressure is the general word for force or stress, and turn of the screw is one step that raises it.

Opposites

Word family

screw noun

a threaded metal fastener

tighten the screws phrase

to increase pressure

screw verb

to fasten with a screw, or to twist

Commonly confused: turn of the screw or turn of the century?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “turn of the screw”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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