# put the screws

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/put-the-screws
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To apply pressure and coercion.

## Examples

- The boss is putting the screws on us to finish early.
- The bank is putting the screws on the business owner to pay back the loan immediately.
- By threatening to cut off their funding, the committee put the screws on the researchers to produce results before the end of the year.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.