# screw off

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/screw-off
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to leave a place, or a rude way to tell someone to go away. You use this when you are angry or someone is bothering you.

For teachers: An informal phrasal verb used as a dismissive imperative or an intransitive verb meaning to depart. It functions as a less vulgar euphemism for more offensive terms of dismissal.

## Examples

- I was tired of his questions, so I told him to screw off.
- When the reporters started asking personal questions about his family, the actor told them to screw off and walked to his car.
- Exasperated by the persistent heckling, the diplomat abandoned his composure and told the agitators to screw off before exiting the stage.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I need to screw off the lid." but "I need to unscrew the lid." — English uses the prefix 'un-' for this action rather than the phrasal particle 'off'.

## Usage notes

- This phrase is informal and can be rude, so avoid using it in professional or polite settings.
- Teaching tip: Contrast this with 'go away' and 'fuck off' to show students how English has different levels of rudeness for the same command.

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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.