screwed myself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "screwed myself" is a grammatically correct and commonly used informal phrase in written English.
It is usually used to indicate that one has made a mistake, or has done something to cause a negative outcome for oneself. For example: "I screwed myself by not studying for my exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"Last week I had screwed myself up to the point of believing I should come out to America & lecture if anyone wanted me to.

The Guardian - Books

One of my problems is that Gymkhana 5 is so good that I kind of screwed myself [laughs].

BBC

I'd screwed myself financially, big time (for the second time!), and had nobody to blame but the creep in the mirror.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"I went for the one year at $30 million, wound up paying him $33 million the following year and screwing myself out of $8 million.

The New York Times - Sports

I've asked him what he's going to do, and he smiles at me and tells me to go screw myself in a very kind way, because I don't think he knows.

The New Yorker

You can tell me to go screw myself.

Huffington Post

I'll just keep making minimum wage and go screw myself".

Huffington Post

I would've been like man, screw them, I love myself.

Huffington Post

For me, part of the way of not giving in to the impulse of seeking my own safety and security in other people is to remember how often I have screwed up, put myself first, not met my most basic obligations to other people, and let other people down.

Huffington Post

These days, there is still a sense of genuine regret that I screwed up and hurt myself and other people.

The New York Times

We just need a lot more of it – and we need faith in the long term instead of listening only to naysayers who say 'we're all screwed.' Journalists like myself are hardly blameless for the largely negative portrayal of conservation today.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To emphasize responsibility, follow "screwed myself" with an explanation of the actions: "I "screwed myself" by procrastinating until the last minute."

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "screwed myself" in formal or professional contexts. Using such casual language in business meetings, academic papers, or formal presentations might undermine your credibility. Use more formal alternatives such as "undermined my own efforts" or "did myself a disservice" instead.

Linguistic Context

Intransitive verb phrase indicating a self-inflicted negative outcome. The phrase "screwed myself" functions as a colloquial way to express that the speaker has caused a problem or setback for themselves through their own actions. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase is used to describe financial errors or personal misjudgments.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

News & Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "screwed myself" is a colloquial expression used to convey that one has made a mistake or acted in a way that has caused a negative outcome for themselves. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides examples of its use in news and media sources. While the phrase is acceptable in informal contexts, it should be avoided in formal or professional settings, where alternatives like "undermined my own efforts" or "did myself a disservice" are more appropriate. When using the phrase, consider the context and audience to ensure effective communication. It's also worth noting the similar alternatives such as "shot myself in the foot" that carry very similar, albeit more vivid, meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shot myself in the foot

This alternative is a common idiom that vividly describes an action that unintentionally harms oneself.

sabotaged myself

This alternative suggests a deliberate, though perhaps unconscious, act of self-destruction.

set myself up for failure

This alternative highlights how someone has created conditions that will probably end in failure.

undermined my own efforts

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the act of weakening one's own progress or goals.

dug my own grave

This idiom graphically suggests one has set the stage for their own ruin.

did myself a disservice

This alternative is a polite way of saying one has acted against their own interests.

ruined my chances

This alternative focuses on the loss of opportunity due to one's own actions.

created problems for myself

This alternative is a straightforward way of saying one has caused difficulties for themselves.

made a mistake that hurt me

This alternative emphasizes the error and its negative consequences on the speaker.

caused my own downfall

This alternative is dramatic and implies a significant negative outcome resulting from one's actions.

FAQs

What does "screwed myself" mean?

The phrase "screwed myself" is an informal way of saying that you have made a mistake or done something that has caused a negative outcome for yourself.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "screwed myself"?

It is appropriate to use "screwed myself" in informal settings, such as conversations with friends or casual writing. Avoid using it in formal or professional contexts.

What can I say instead of "screwed myself"?

You can use alternatives like "shot myself in the foot", "sabotaged myself", or "did myself a disservice" depending on the context.

Is "screwed myself" grammatically correct?

Yes, "screwed myself" is grammatically correct, but it's considered an informal phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its common use, especially in conversational contexts.