screw up

British  

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

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noun

1. slang something mishandled or done badly

screw up Idioms  

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

2. 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]

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

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

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Example Sentences

Screw up with autocorrect and it can screw up your relationships!

From The Guardian • Jul. 12, 2015

CEOs who are ushered out the door with lavish retirement packages give their colleagues a negative lesson: Screw up badly enough, and even if you lose your job you'll be rich.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2015

Screw up your courage, my good friend, and resolve to show the world that you are an honest man....

From A Budget of Paradoxes, Volume II by Smith, David Eugene

Screw up your features in such a manner as to force the required contractions of the facial muscles.

From Vitality Supreme by Macfadden, Bernarr

Screw up his nervous energies to their accustomed tone with slops?

From The Actress in High Life An Episode in Winter Quarters by Bowen, Sue Petigru

Related Words

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