# turn of the screw

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/turn-of-the-screw
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

One step in a gradual imposition of restrictions.

## Examples

- The new rules are just another turn of the screw for us.
- Management tightened the budget again, which felt like another turn of the screw for the already overworked staff.
- With each successive policy change, the government applied another turn of the screw, further restricting the freedoms of the local population.

---

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.