screw up

verb

1. to twist out of shape or distort

2. to summon up or call upon

   to screw up one's courage

3. informal,  (also intr) to mishandle or make a mess (of)

4. informal,  (often passive) to cause to become very anxious, confused, or nervous

   he is really screwed up about his exams

noun

1. slang,  something mishandled or done badly

Idioms and Phrases

Muster or summon up; see pluck up one's courage .

Make a mess of an undertaking; also, make a mistake, as in I really screwed up this report , or She said she was sorry, admitting that she had screwed up . Some authorities believe this usage is a euphemism for fuck up . [ Slang ; c. 1940]

Injure, damage, as in I screwed up my back lifting all those heavy books . [ Slang ]

Make neurotic or anxious, as in Her family really screwed her up, but her therapist has helped her a lot . [ Slang ; mid-1900s]

Related Words

• botch 
• bungle 
• confuse 
• flub 
• muddle 
• spoil