# screwing

/ˈskɹuɪŋ/ (US) · /skɹˈuːɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/screwing
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. fastening with a screw

verb · CEFR B1

the action of turning a screw to fix something in place.

For teachers: the act of fastening, tightening, or adjusting an object using a screw or a twisting motion.

- He spent the afternoon screwing the new shelves into the wall.
- By carefully screwing the mounting brackets into the studs, the technician ensured the heavy display would remain secure.

Usage: Often used with 'in', 'down', or 'on'.

### 2. cheating or unfair treatment

verb · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

treating someone unfairly or cheating them, especially for money.

For teachers: exploiting, cheating, or treating someone with calculated unfairness.

- The company is screwing its workers by cutting their health benefits.
- The contractor was accused of screwing his clients by inflating the cost of materials while providing substandard labor.

Usage: Usually takes a direct object representing the person being cheated.

### 3. sexual intercourse

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang · Vulgar

a very rude and informal word for having sex.

For teachers: an act of sexual intercourse.

- He made a vulgar joke about screwing that offended everyone at the table.
- The film was criticized for its gratuitous scenes of screwing that added little to the actual plot.

Teaching tip: This is highly informal and can be offensive; learners should avoid using it in professional or polite social settings.

### 4. making a mistake

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

making a serious mistake or failing at something.

For teachers: blundering or failing significantly; typically used in the phrasal form 'screwing up'.

- I'm terrified of screwing up my driving test tomorrow.
- The intern was worried that screwing up the coffee order would ruin his chances of a permanent job offer.

Usage: Almost always used with the particle 'up'.

## Examples

- The company is really screwing its employees by cutting their benefits.
- After the contractor disappeared with the deposit, the family realized he was screwing them out of their life savings.
- In the cutthroat world of corporate mergers, smaller firms often find themselves being systematically screwed by larger entities that prioritize short-term profits over existing contractual obligations.

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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.