turn the screw

USAGE SUMMARY

"turn the screw" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used as a metaphor to mean "make a situation more difficult or intense". For example, "The rising cost of living has turned the screw on many families struggling to make ends meet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Turn the screw a bit more".

Independent

France sought to turn the screw.

The Guardian - Sport

Slowly they tried to turn the screw.

The Guardian - Sport

Yorkshire began to turn the screw, crowding Eskinazi.

The Guardian - Sport

Portugal are beginning to turn the screw here.

The New York Times

And Guardiola can turn the screw on that, tighten everything up.

The Guardian - Sport

8.13pm GMT 27 min: Chelsea continue to turn the screw, but their No9 continues to disappoint.

The Guardian - Sport

Batting became a struggle as the Australians began to turn the screw.

The Guardian - Sport

(Fine use of swearing here, to turn the screw on Parsons' most deserving targets).

The Guardian

pouncing on Bingham's errors to score heavily and turn the screw.

The Guardian - Sport

Leicester, who were without a win in their previous five league games, then started to turn the screw.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "turn the screw" when you want to convey the idea of intensifying pressure, especially in competitive or challenging situations. Be mindful of the context to ensure the figurative language aligns with the intended tone.

Common error

Avoid using "turn the screw" too frequently, as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms or alternative expressions to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "turn the screw" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. According to Ludwig, it's commonly used to describe the act of increasing pressure or intensifying a situation. This is evident in various examples provided by Ludwig where it signifies heightening tension or exertion in sports, business, and politics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "turn the screw" is a common idiomatic verb phrase used to describe intensifying pressure in a given situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, especially in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to consider the specific context to ensure the intended tone aligns with the figurative language. When seeking alternatives, consider phrases like ""increase the pressure"" or "raise the stakes" based on the desired nuance. Overall, "turn the screw" remains a versatile and impactful expression for conveying heightened tension or exertion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase the pressure

Focuses on the direct act of augmenting pressure, without the idiomatic connotation.

put the squeeze on

Suggests applying pressure with the intention of extracting something.

tighten the noose

Implies a more restrictive and potentially detrimental increase in pressure.

heighten the tension

Refers to increasing the emotional or psychological stress in a situation.

raise the stakes

Highlights increasing the potential consequences or risks involved.

exert more control

Focuses on increasing influence or command over a situation or entity.

step up the pace

Emphasizes acceleration and increased tempo rather than direct pressure.

bear down

Implies a concentrated effort to overcome resistance or difficulty.

intensify the effort

Focuses on amplifying the exertion or energy applied to a task.

apply more force

A more literal and less idiomatic expression of increasing physical or metaphorical force.

FAQs

How can I use "turn the screw" in a sentence?

You can use "turn the screw" to describe intensifying pressure in a situation. For example: "The team needed to "increase the pressure" in the second half to win the game, so they decided to "turn the screw" on their opponents."

What does "turn the screw" mean?

"Turn the screw" is an idiom that means to increase pressure on someone or something, often to compel a desired action or outcome. It suggests making a situation more difficult or intense.

Are there any alternatives to "turn the screw"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "tighten the noose", "raise the stakes", or "put the squeeze on" as alternatives to "turn the screw", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "turn the screw" appropriate for formal writing?

While "turn the screw" is widely understood, it leans towards informal usage. In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "intensify the effort" or "exert more control" to maintain a professional tone.