# screwed, blued and tattooed

idiom · Slang

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/screwed-blued-and-tattooed
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Placed in a perplexing, very difficult situation, especially a situation in which one has been unjustly victimized.

## Examples

- After the scam, he felt completely screwed, blued and tattooed.
- When the company fired everyone without notice or pay, the employees felt totally screwed, blued and tattooed.
- Left with no legal recourse after the contract was voided, the small business owner realized he was well and truly screwed, blued and tattooed.

## Origin

From screwed (“fornicated”) + blewed (“blown, experienced fellatio”) + tattooed. Describes the ideal experience of a sailor during a short shore leave. (disputed)

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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.