screw up - Definition & Meaning

screw up

Third Person

screws up

Present Participle

screwing up

Past Tense

screwed up

Past Participle

screwed up

to ruin a situation through mistakes or poor judgment

transitive

He didn't want to screw up the important presentation, so he practiced diligently.
She felt a sinking feeling in her stomach after realizing she had screwed up the project.
She screwed the job interview up by arriving late and unprepared.
The politician tried not to screw his speech up by rehearsing multiple times.

Synonyms:

to intensify a situation or problem

transitive

Synonyms:

to twist one's face into an expression of discomfort, displeasure, or tension

transitive

She screwed up her face when she tasted the sour lemon.
The actor screwed up his face to imitate a comical expression during the performance.
She couldn't help but screw up her face in reaction to the strong smell of the chemicals.
Please don't screw up your face like that; it's just a minor inconvenience.

to fasten something by rotating it often in a clockwise direction

transitive

The plumber had to screw the faucet up tightly to prevent any water leaks.
The technician needed to screw the wires up to connect the electronic components.
She carefully screwed the antenna up onto the roof for better reception.
To assemble the furniture, he had to screw each piece up according to the instructions.

to fold something by twisting it tightly

transitive

He screwed up the letter and threw it in the trash in frustration.
She screwed the paper up into a tight ball and tossed it into the recycling bin.
Let's screw up the old newspaper and use it for packing delicate items.
He screwed up the failed painting and decided to start over.
In a moment of annoyance, I screwed up the sketch and had to begin from scratch.

to cause someone to be emotionally or mentally disturbed

transitive