tighten the screws
IdiomsExample Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The US, however, has continued to tighten the screws.
From BBC • Jul. 5, 2026
“Now we get a couple of days to kind of regroup and tighten the screws up and go back into an environment we just ended in and try to get our first win.”
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 20, 2023
His business has since ramped up, drawing in more and more clients as companies tighten the screws on return-to-office mandates.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 20, 2023
The streaming giant has recently indicated it will tighten the screws on customers who share passwords and login info as it seeks to maximize revenue from the users it already has.
From The Verge • Apr. 19, 2022
“I think old Haskers is commencing to tighten the screws again,” said Buster.
From Dave Porter and the Runaways Last Days at Oak Hall by Boehm, H. Richard
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
