screw
noun
a metal fastener having a tapered shank with a helical thread, and topped with a slotted head, driven into wood or the like by rotating, especially by means of a screwdriver.
had screwed
-
past perfectof screw.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Whenever a crisis broke and it was clear that someone had screwed up, the maxim by which the BBC’s leaders operated was “deputy heads will roll!”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 17, 2025
He later said he had "screwed up" and admitted he had "over firmly" denied he had continued his work as a web marketing expert during his time as an MP.
From BBC ● Feb. 7, 2023
A glitch had screwed up the way YouTube showed subscribers videos, but the company didn’t bother to tell anyone.
From The Verge ● Sep. 6, 2022
He asked the two women to skip their morning meetings and “put your heads together” to figure out exactly how he had screwed up and how they could fix it.
From Slate ● Feb. 4, 2022
A minute was all I could endure because I was beginning to feel how I had screwed up more lives than just my own.
From "Hole in My Life" by Jack Gantos
