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B1 verb (gerund/participle) #18 le plus courant 15 min de lecture

screwing

Top 18

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces screwing en 30 secondes

Explication screwing in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should focus on the most basic, physical meaning of 'screwing.' This word describes the action of turning something round and round to make it stay in place. Think about a bottle of water. When you want to close it, you turn the cap. This is 'screwing the cap on.' When you want to open it, you turn it the other way. This is 'screwing the cap off.' You might also see this word when talking about simple toys or furniture. If you have a toy car and a wheel falls off, you might need to screw it back on. At this level, don't worry about the slang or the difficult meanings. Just remember that 'screwing' is a physical action involving turning and tightening. You can use it with words like 'in,' 'out,' 'on,' and 'off.' For example: 'I am screwing the lightbulb in.' It is a very useful word for describing how things work in your house. You will mostly hear it when people are fixing things or opening containers. It is a simple action verb that helps you describe daily life. Just remember the motion of your hand turning a lid—that is 'screwing.'

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At the A2 level, you can start to use 'screwing' to describe more specific actions in the house and garden. You might use it when talking about DIY (Do-It-Yourself) projects. For example, 'I am screwing the shelf to the wall.' You also learn that 'screwing' is often used as a gerund, which means it acts like a noun. You might say, 'Screwing all these parts together is difficult.' This level also introduces the idea that 'screwing' can be used for things that aren't just screws, like lightbulbs or jar lids. You will notice that it is a very common word in instructions. If you buy furniture from a store like IKEA, the instructions might show pictures of someone screwing pieces together. You should also be aware of the opposite: 'unscrewing.' While 'screwing' makes things tight, 'unscrewing' makes them loose. At A2, you are building a solid foundation of practical vocabulary. You are moving from simple actions to describing processes. You might hear a teacher say, 'Stop screwing your paper up,' which means folding or wrinkling it into a ball. This is a good introduction to how the word can change meaning slightly.

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At the B1 level, you are ready to explore the more common informal uses of 'screwing.' This is where the word becomes very interesting and a bit more complex. The most important phrasal verb to learn is 'screwing up.' In casual English, this means making a mistake. For example, 'I'm sorry, I really screwed up the schedule.' It is a very common way to apologize or talk about errors with friends. You will also hear 'screwing around,' which means wasting time or playing when you should be working. 'The students were screwing around in the hallway.' Another important B1 concept is 'screwing someone over.' This means treating someone unfairly or cheating them. For example, 'That shop is screwing people over with high prices.' At this level, you should also be careful about the 'register' of the word. 'Screwing' is informal. You can use it with friends, but you should avoid it in formal writing or when talking to your boss. You are now learning how to use English to express feelings and social situations, not just physical actions. Understanding these nuances helps you sound more like a native speaker and helps you understand movies and TV shows better.

At the B2 level, you should have a strong grasp of both the literal and metaphorical meanings of 'screwing.' You can use it confidently in various idiomatic expressions. For instance, you might use 'screwing up one's courage' to describe someone preparing to do something brave. You also understand more complex phrasal verbs like 'screwing down,' which can mean to limit or restrict something, often costs or prices. 'The company is screwing down production costs to save money.' At this level, you are also more aware of the social consequences of using the word. You know that 'screwing' can be a vulgar slang term for sex, so you are careful to use it only when the context is clear. You can distinguish between 'screwing with someone' (teasing or confusing them) and 'screwing someone over' (cheating them). Your vocabulary is becoming more precise. You might use 'screwing' to describe a facial expression: 'She was screwing up her face in concentration.' This shows a high level of linguistic awareness. You are also able to replace 'screwing' with more formal synonyms like 'fastening,' 'exploiting,' or 'erring' depending on the situation. This flexibility is a hallmark of the B2 level.

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At the C1 level, you are exploring the subtle nuances and less common uses of 'screwing.' You might encounter it in literature or advanced journalism where it is used for stylistic effect. For example, a writer might describe a character 'screwing their eyes shut' to avoid seeing something painful. You understand how 'screwing' can be used as a powerful rhetorical device to convey a sense of pressure or manipulation in political or economic contexts. You are also familiar with more obscure idioms, such as 'having a screw loose,' and you understand the cultural history behind such phrases. At this level, you can analyze how the word's meaning has evolved from a simple mechanical action to a multifaceted tool for expressing complex human emotions and social dynamics. You are also very sensitive to the 'double entendre'—you can recognize when someone is using the word 'screwing' to be intentionally provocative or humorous. Your mastery of the word allows you to use it with precision, knowing exactly when it will add flavor to your speech and when it might be perceived as too informal or offensive. You can also discuss the etymology of the word and its relationship to other Germanic languages.

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At the C2 level, your understanding of 'screwing' is near-native. You are comfortable with all its registers, from the most technical engineering contexts to the most informal street slang. You can use the word with complete control, employing it in creative writing or high-level debate to evoke specific images or emotions. You might use it in a metaphorical sense to describe a complex system: 'The gears of the bureaucracy were screwing the project into a standstill.' You are also aware of regional variations in usage—for example, how 'screwing' might be used differently in British, American, or Australian English. You can navigate the most sensitive social situations, knowing exactly how to use the word without causing unintended offense, or conversely, knowing exactly how to use it to make a strong point. Your understanding includes the word's role in puns, jokes, and complex wordplay. You can also compare 'screwing' with its counterparts in other languages, discussing the unique way English has expanded the meaning of this mechanical verb. At this level, the word is just one of many tools in your vast linguistic repertoire, used with effortless precision and a deep understanding of its cultural and social weight.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

screwing en 30 secondes

Screwing is primarily the act of fastening things with screws or rotating objects like lids.
In informal English, 'screwing up' is a very common way to say you made a mistake.
'Screwing someone over' is a slang term for cheating or treating someone very unfairly.
The word can be vulgar in some contexts, so use it carefully in professional settings.

The word screwing is the gerund or present participle form of the verb 'screw.' At its most fundamental level, it describes a mechanical action: the act of turning a threaded fastener (a screw) into a material or rotating an object like a lid or a lightbulb to secure it. This literal usage is common in construction, DIY projects, and everyday household tasks. However, 'screwing' is a highly versatile word in English, and its meaning shifts dramatically depending on the prepositions that follow it or the social context in which it is used. For a B1 learner, understanding these shifts is essential for navigating both technical and casual conversations. In a literal sense, you might find yourself screwing a bracket to a wall or screwing the cap back onto a bottle of soda. This action involves rotation and pressure, a concept that translates into many of its metaphorical uses. The word often implies a sense of tightening, securing, or sometimes, the friction involved in the process.

Literal Usage: The physical act of fastening or tightening using a rotational motion.

He spent the afternoon screwing the new shelves into the study wall.

Beyond the toolbox, 'screwing' enters the realm of informal English and slang. One of the most frequent uses is in the phrasal verb 'screwing up,' which means making a significant mistake or failing at something. This is a very common way to express regret or admit an error in a casual setting. For example, if you forget an important meeting, you might say, 'I really screwed up.' Another common informal use is 'screwing someone over,' which means to treat someone unfairly, cheat them, or put them at a disadvantage, often for one's own gain. This carries a negative connotation of betrayal or dishonesty. It is also important to be aware that 'screwing' is used as a slang term for sexual intercourse. While this is a common part of the vernacular in many English-speaking regions, it is considered vulgar or highly informal and should be avoided in professional, academic, or polite social situations. Because of this dual nature—being both a technical term and a potentially offensive slang term—context is everything when using this word.

Metaphorical Usage: Describing mistakes (screwing up) or unfair treatment (screwing over).

Stop screwing around and finish your homework!

In many cases, 'screwing' can also describe a state of emotional or mental tension. To have a 'screw loose' is an idiom suggesting someone is acting strangely or irrationally. The act of 'screwing up one's courage' means to gather one's bravery before doing something difficult. This variety of meanings makes 'screwing' a word that requires careful attention to the speaker's intent and the surrounding words. In a workplace, you might hear a manager talk about 'screwing down' costs, which means to reduce them strictly. In a social setting, you might hear someone complain about a company 'screwing' its customers with high fees. Each of these uses draws on the core idea of pressure or manipulation. As you progress in your English studies, you will notice that 'screwing' is often replaced by more formal verbs like 'fastening,' 'erring,' or 'exploiting' in professional writing, but in spoken English, its versatility makes it a staple of daily communication.

The company is screwing us over with these new contract terms.

Slang Usage: Informal and sometimes vulgar terms for mistakes, cheating, or sex.

I think I'm screwing up this recipe; it doesn't look right.

She was screwing the cap on so tightly that I couldn't open it later.

Using 'screwing' correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical function as a gerund or a present participle. As a present participle, it is used in continuous tenses to describe an action currently in progress. For example, 'I am screwing the legs onto the table.' Here, it indicates the ongoing physical activity. As a gerund, it acts as a noun, often representing the activity itself: 'Screwing the components together is the most time-consuming part of the assembly.' In this case, 'screwing' is the subject of the sentence. Understanding this distinction helps in constructing grammatically sound sentences. When using the phrasal verb forms, such as 'screwing up,' the word 'up' acts as a particle that modifies the meaning of the verb. These phrasal verbs are often separable in some contexts but usually stay together when used as a gerund or participle. For instance, you would say 'He is screwing up the project,' rather than 'He is screwing the project up,' although both are technically possible, the former is more common for the participle form.

Continuous Tense: Used with 'to be' to show an action happening now or around now.

The technician is currently screwing the back panel into place.

Another important aspect of using 'screwing' is its role in idiomatic expressions. When you use 'screwing' to mean 'cheating,' it often takes an object: 'They are screwing the taxpayers.' In this context, 'screwing' is a transitive verb. When used to mean 'making a mistake,' it is often intransitive or followed by 'up': 'I keep screwing up.' Learners should also be mindful of the 'screwing around' construction, which means wasting time or behaving in a silly way. 'The kids were screwing around in the back of the class instead of listening.' This is a very common informal expression. In more formal writing, you would replace this with 'The students were behaving disruptively' or 'The students were not focusing.' The choice of 'screwing' signals a relaxed, colloquial tone. It is also used in the phrase 'screwing one's face up,' which describes a physical reaction to a bad smell, a sour taste, or a difficult thought. 'He was screwing his face up, trying to remember where he left his keys.'

Gerund Form: Using the -ing form as a noun to describe the concept of the action.

Screwing the lid on too tight can make it impossible to open later.

In terms of sentence structure, 'screwing' often appears in resultative constructions or with directional adverbs. 'He was screwing the bolt in' or 'She was screwing the lightbulb out.' These adverbs (in, out, on, off) are crucial for clarity in the literal sense. In the metaphorical sense, the word is often part of a larger verb phrase that functions as a single unit of meaning. For example, 'screwing with someone's head' means to intentionally confuse or upset someone. 'Stop screwing with my head and tell me the truth!' This is a powerful, albeit informal, way to describe psychological manipulation. When using 'screwing' in any of these ways, the speaker must be aware of the audience. While 'screwing' is common in movies, TV shows, and casual banter, it can be seen as unprofessional in a business meeting or disrespectful when speaking to an elder or a superior. Practice using it in safe, informal environments first to get a feel for the nuances of its various meanings.

Are you screwing with me, or is that actually true?

Phrasal Verbs: Combinations like 'screwing up', 'screwing over', and 'screwing around'.

I'm tired of you screwing around when there is work to be done.

The carpenter was screwing the hinges onto the door frame.

You will encounter the word 'screwing' in a wide variety of real-world contexts, ranging from the very practical to the highly emotional. One of the most common places is in the world of DIY (Do-It-Yourself) and home improvement. If you watch home renovation shows or YouTube tutorials on how to build furniture, you will hear 'screwing' used constantly in its literal sense. 'Now, we are screwing the base to the frame,' or 'Make sure you are screwing it in straight.' In these contexts, it is a neutral, technical term. Similarly, in an industrial or mechanical setting—like an auto repair shop or a factory—'screwing' is a standard part of the vocabulary. Mechanics might talk about 'screwing the spark plugs in' or 'screwing the filter on.' In these environments, the word is purely functional and carries no slang connotations. It is simply the most accurate way to describe the action being performed.

DIY & Construction: Commonly heard in tutorials, workshops, and home improvement contexts.

The tutorial showed him screwing the brackets into the drywall.

However, if you move from the workshop to the living room or the office, the usage of 'screwing' often shifts toward the metaphorical. In movies and television dramas, characters frequently use 'screwing up' to express intense frustration or regret. It is a staple of dialogue in high-stakes situations. A character might shout, 'You're screwing everything up!' during a climactic argument. In comedies, 'screwing around' is often used to describe the antics of characters who aren't taking things seriously. You'll also hear 'screwing' in news reports or documentaries, particularly those focusing on corporate scandals or consumer rights. A reporter might say, 'The investigation revealed how the company was screwing its employees out of their pensions.' In this context, the word is used to evoke a sense of injustice and exploitation. It's a powerful rhetorical tool because it suggests a deliberate, forceful action that causes harm.

Pop Culture & Media: Frequent in movies, TV shows, and informal news commentary to show emotion.

I'm not screwing around; this is a very serious matter.

In everyday conversation among native speakers, 'screwing' is ubiquitous. Friends might tease each other about 'screwing up' a date or 'screwing around' instead of studying for an exam. In these cases, the word is used to build rapport and share a common, informal language. You might also hear it in the context of sports, where a player is accused of 'screwing up' a play or a referee is accused of 'screwing' a team out of a victory. The word's ability to convey both a specific action and a broad range of emotions makes it a favorite in the expressive, often hyperbolic world of sports and hobbies. For a learner, hearing 'screwing' in these diverse settings—from a quiet DIY video to a loud sports bar—highlights the importance of tone and environment in determining the word's meaning and appropriateness.

The referee is screwing us over with these terrible calls!

Daily Conversation: Used among friends and colleagues to describe mistakes or lighthearted teasing.

Stop screwing with the thermostat; it's fine as it is.

He was screwing the cap back on the toothpaste when he dropped it.

One of the most significant mistakes learners make with 'screwing' is failing to recognize its potential for vulgarity. Because 'screwing' is a common slang term for sexual intercourse, using it in the wrong context can lead to extreme embarrassment or offense. For example, saying 'I was screwing all night' when you mean you were working on a construction project could be easily misinterpreted. It is always safer to use more specific language like 'I was fastening the floorboards all night' or 'I was working on the assembly all night.' This sensitivity to register is one of the biggest hurdles for B1 and B2 learners who are starting to use more idiomatic English. Another common mistake is overusing the word in formal environments. While 'screwing up' is common in casual speech, it is generally inappropriate in a formal business report, an academic essay, or a professional email to a client. In these cases, words like 'error,' 'mistake,' 'oversight,' or 'failure' are much more appropriate and professional.

Register Mismatch: Using 'screwing' in formal or professional settings where it sounds too casual or rude.

Incorrect: The CEO is screwing up the company's strategy.

Grammatically, learners often struggle with the prepositions that follow 'screwing.' A common error is omitting the 'up' when meaning 'to make a mistake.' Saying 'I screwed the exam' is less common and can sound slightly off compared to 'I screwed up the exam.' Similarly, confusing 'screwing with' and 'screwing over' is a frequent pitfall. 'Screwing with someone' usually means teasing or confusing them, while 'screwing someone over' means seriously cheating or harming them. Using one when you mean the other can change the severity of your statement. For instance, if you tell a friend 'Stop screwing me over' when they are just joking with you, it sounds much more aggressive and serious than you likely intended. Conversely, if someone has stolen money from you and you say 'Stop screwing with me,' it might sound like you don't realize the gravity of their actions. Precision with these phrasal verbs is key to clear communication.

Preposition Errors: Mixing up 'up', 'over', 'with', and 'around', which all change the meaning.

Incorrect: He is screwing the project (when you mean he is failing at it).

Finally, there is the mistake of literal vs. figurative confusion in translation. Many languages have separate words for 'fastening a screw' and 'making a mistake.' Learners might try to translate 'making a mistake' literally into their native language's word for 'screwing,' which often makes no sense. It's important to learn 'screwing up' as a single idiomatic unit rather than trying to understand it through its component parts. Additionally, learners sometimes confuse 'screwing' with 'bolting' or 'nailing.' While all three involve fastening, they use different tools and motions. 'Screwing' specifically implies a rotational, threaded action. Using 'screwing' when you mean 'nailing' (using a hammer) or 'bolting' (using a wrench and a nut) can make you sound less proficient in technical discussions. Paying attention to the specific tools and actions involved will help you avoid these common vocabulary errors.

Correct: I am screwing the lightbulb into the socket.

Technical Confusion: Using 'screwing' for other types of fastening like nailing or gluing.

Incorrect: I am screwing the poster to the wall with tape.

Stop screwing around and help me with these heavy boxes.

Because 'screwing' has so many meanings, there are many alternatives depending on what you want to say. In a literal, mechanical sense, words like fastening, securing, tightening, or attaching are excellent substitutes. These words are more formal and precise. For example, instead of 'screwing the lid on,' you could say 'securing the cap.' In a professional assembly manual, you would almost always see 'fasten the components' rather than 'screw the components.' These alternatives help you sound more technical and less colloquial. If you are talking about the motion itself, rotating or twisting might be more descriptive. 'Twisting the cap' implies a similar motion but doesn't necessarily involve threads, making it a broader term.

Literal Alternatives: Fastening, securing, tightening, attaching, twisting, rotating.

Instead of screwing, use 'securing' for a more professional tone.

When you use 'screwing up' to mean making a mistake, there are countless alternatives that vary in intensity and formality. Blundering, erring, failing, or mismanaging are all more formal. In a casual context, you might use messing up, which is very similar to 'screwing up' but slightly less edgy. Goofing up is even more lighthearted and often used for small, silly mistakes. If you want to be very formal, you would say 'I made an error' or 'There has been a misunderstanding.' Choosing the right alternative depends on how much responsibility you want to take and how serious the mistake is. 'I screwed up' sounds like a personal admission of a significant error, while 'There was an error' sounds more detached and objective.

Mistake Alternatives: Messing up, goofing up, failing, erring, blundering, miscalculating.

She was afraid of screwing up the presentation, so she practiced for hours.

For the meaning of 'cheating' or 'treating unfairly' (screwing someone over), you can use exploiting, deceiving, defrauding, or mistreating. These words carry a stronger sense of moral or legal wrongdoing. 'Exploiting' is particularly useful when talking about labor or economic situations. If you are talking about a friend who didn't pay you back, you might say they shortchanged you or let you down. For 'screwing around' (wasting time), alternatives include loitering, procrastinating, dawdling, or fooling around. 'Fooling around' is a very close synonym that is slightly more polite. By expanding your vocabulary with these alternatives, you can tailor your speech to any situation, ensuring you are always understood exactly as you intend.

The landlord is screwing over the tenants by not fixing the heating.

Unfair Treatment Alternatives: Exploiting, deceiving, shortchanging, mistreating, taking advantage of.

Stop screwing around and get back to work!

The mechanic was screwing the new tire onto the axle.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

"The technician is fastening the components using threaded screws."

Neutre

"He is screwing the new lightbulb into the socket."

Informel

"I really screwed up that exam yesterday."

Child friendly

"Let's help Daddy screw the legs onto the table."

Argot

"That company is totally screwing its workers."

Le savais-tu ?

The use of 'screw' to mean 'to cheat' dates back to the early 1900s, while 'screwing up' for making a mistake became popular in the mid-20th century.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ˈskruː.ɪŋ/

US /ˈskruː.ɪŋ/

The stress is on the first syllable: SKREW-ing.

Rime avec

chewing doing brewing viewing suing renewing pursuing blueing

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'w' as a separate sound.
Making the 'oo' too short like in 'foot'.
Dropping the 'g' at the end (skru-in), which is common in casual speech but should be avoided in clear communication.
Confusing the vowel with 'u' in 'buck'.
Over-emphasizing the 'ing' syllable.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to read in context, but idioms can be tricky.

Écriture 4/5

Requires care to avoid register errors or vulgarity.

Expression orale 4/5

Common in speech, but pronunciation and tone are key.

Écoute 3/5

Must distinguish between literal and slang meanings.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

screw turn fix tight mistake

Apprends ensuite

fasten exploit erroneous tamper manipulate

Avancé

torque threaded malfeasance duplicity procrastination

Grammaire à connaître

Gerund vs Participle

Screwing (gerund) is hard. He is screwing (participle) the lid.

Phrasal Verb Separation

He screwed up the project. (More common than 'He screwed the project up').

Possessive with Gerund

I was annoyed by his screwing around.

Resultative Adjectives

He screwed the lid tight.

Prepositional Phrases

Screwing the screw into the wood.

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Exemples par niveau

I am screwing the lid on the jar.

Je visse le couvercle sur le bocal.

Present continuous tense showing a physical action.

He is screwing the lightbulb into the lamp.

Il visse l'ampoule dans la lampe.

Literal use of 'screwing in'.

Are you screwing the cap on tight?

Visses-tu le bouchon fermement ?

Question form of the present continuous.

She is screwing the toy together.

Elle assemble le jouet en le vissant.

Using 'together' to show assembly.

Stop screwing the lid so hard!

Arrête de visser le couvercle si fort !

Imperative form with a gerund.

I like screwing things in.

J'aime visser des choses.

Gerund used as the object of the verb 'like'.

Is he screwing the bolt now?

Est-ce qu'il visse le boulon maintenant ?

Present continuous question.

Screwing the cap off is easy.

Dévisser le bouchon est facile.

Gerund used as the subject of the sentence.

Screwing the shelf to the wall took one hour.

Visser l'étagère au mur a pris une heure.

Gerund phrase acting as the subject.

He was screwing the legs onto the table when I arrived.

Il vissait les pieds sur la table quand je suis arrivé.

Past continuous tense for a background action.

You need to keep screwing until it is tight.

Tu dois continuer à visser jusqu'à ce que ce soit serré.

Gerund after the verb 'keep'.

She is screwing the battery cover back on.

Elle revisse le couvercle des piles.

Literal use with 'back on'.

I am screwing the new handle onto the door.

Je visse la nouvelle poignée sur la porte.

Present continuous for a DIY task.

Is screwing the parts together difficult?

Est-ce que visser les pièces ensemble est difficile ?

Gerund subject in a question.

He avoids screwing things in too tightly.

Il évite de visser les choses trop fort.

Gerund after the verb 'avoid'.

She is screwing the hook into the ceiling.

Elle visse le crochet dans le plafond.

Literal use of 'screwing into'.

I think I'm screwing up this project.

Je pense que je suis en train de rater ce projet.

Informal phrasal verb 'screwing up' meaning 'failing'.

Stop screwing around and focus on your work.

Arrête de faire l'idiot et concentre-toi sur ton travail.

Informal phrasal verb 'screwing around' meaning 'wasting time'.

They are screwing us over with these prices.

Ils nous arnaquent avec ces prix.

Informal phrasal verb 'screwing over' meaning 'cheating'.

I'm sorry for screwing up your plans.

Je suis désolé d'avoir gâché tes projets.

Gerund form of a phrasal verb after a preposition.

He was screwing his face up because of the smell.

Il grimaçait à cause de l'odeur.

Idiomatic use meaning 'to contort one's face'.

Are you screwing with me right now?

Tu te moques de moi là ?

Informal phrasal verb 'screwing with' meaning 'teasing'.

Screwing up is part of the learning process.

Faire des erreurs fait partie du processus d'apprentissage.

Gerund phrase as a subject.

He's always screwing around when he should be studying.

Il fait toujours l'idiot quand il devrait étudier.

Present continuous with 'always' to show a habit.

She was screwing up her courage to ask for a raise.

Elle rassemblait son courage pour demander une augmentation.

Idiom 'screwing up one's courage'.

The government is screwing down on tax evasion.

Le gouvernement sévit contre l'évasion fiscale.

Phrasal verb 'screwing down' meaning 'tightening control'.

I realized he was screwing me over only after the deal was signed.

J'ai réalisé qu'il m'arnaquait seulement après la signature du contrat.

Past continuous in a complex sentence.

Stop screwing with the settings; you'll break something.

Arrête de bidouiller les réglages ; tu vas casser quelque chose.

Informal use of 'screwing with' meaning 'tampering'.

His constant screwing around led to his dismissal.

Ses pitreries constantes ont conduit à son licenciement.

Gerund used as a noun with a possessive adjective.

She sat there screwing her napkin into a tight ball.

Elle était assise là, bouchonnant sa serviette en une boule serrée.

Participle phrase describing a simultaneous action.

The company is screwing the environment for profit.

L'entreprise sacrifie l'environnement pour le profit.

Metaphorical use meaning 'harming' or 'exploiting'.

I'm tired of people screwing with my emotions.

J'en ai assez que les gens jouent avec mes émotions.

Gerund after the preposition 'of'.

The witness was caught screwing with the evidence.

Le témoin a été surpris en train de falsifier les preuves.

Passive voice with a participle complement.

He stood by the window, screwing his eyes against the bright sun.

Il se tenait près de la fenêtre, plissant les yeux contre le soleil éclatant.

Participle phrase used for descriptive detail.

The legislation is effectively screwing the middle class.

La législation est en train de sacrifier la classe moyenne.

Metaphorical use in a political/economic context.

I'm not just screwing around; I have a real plan.

Je ne fais pas que perdre mon temps ; j'ai un vrai plan.

Emphatic denial using 'just screwing around'.

The tension in the room was screwing his nerves tight.

La tension dans la pièce mettait ses nerfs à vif.

Metaphorical use describing psychological state.

By screwing down the budget, they compromised the quality.

En réduisant drastiquement le budget, ils ont compromis la qualité.

Gerund phrase showing cause and effect.

She was screwing her courage to the sticking-place.

Elle rassemblait tout son courage (référence à Macbeth).

Literary allusion to Shakespeare's Macbeth.

Stop screwing with the timeline of the project.

Arrête de perturber le calendrier du projet.

Informal but sophisticated use in project management.

The intricate dance of diplomacy was screwing the two nations into an uneasy alliance.

La danse complexe de la diplomatie forçait les deux nations à une alliance précaire.

Highly metaphorical and literary use.

He had a way of screwing the truth until it was unrecognizable.

Il avait une façon de déformer la vérité jusqu'à ce qu'elle soit méconnaissable.

Metaphorical use meaning 'distorting'.

The sheer audacity of his screwing the system was almost admirable.

L'audace pure avec laquelle il a détourné le système était presque admirable.

Gerund used as a noun in a complex noun phrase.

She spent the evening screwing her thoughts into a coherent narrative.

Elle a passé la soirée à essayer de donner une forme cohérente à ses pensées.

Metaphorical use describing a mental process.

The relentless pressure was screwing the very life out of the community.

La pression incessante aspirait la vie même de la communauté.

Metaphorical use meaning 'draining' or 'destroying'.

Is he genuinely confused, or just screwing with the collective consciousness?

Est-il vraiment confus, ou joue-t-il simplement avec la conscience collective ?

Philosophical/abstract use of 'screwing with'.

The economic policy is screwing the pooch on a national scale.

La politique économique est en train de faire une erreur monumentale à l'échelle nationale.

Use of the very informal idiom 'screwing the pooch' (meaning a huge mistake).

Her screwing up her face was the only sign of her internal struggle.

Sa grimace était le seul signe de sa lutte intérieure.

Gerund phrase as the subject with a possessive.

Collocations courantes

screwing in

screwing up

screwing around

screwing over

screwing down

screwing on

screwing together

screwing with

screwing tight

screwing into

Phrases Courantes

Screwing up your face

— Contorting your facial features to show dislike or focus.

He was screwing up his face at the sour lemon.

Screwing up your courage

— Gathering your bravery to do something difficult.

She was screwing up her courage to jump into the pool.

Screwing the pooch

— Making a very big and embarrassing mistake.

I really screwed the pooch on that presentation.

Screwing with someone's head

— Intentionally confusing or psychologically manipulating someone.

Stop screwing with my head and tell me the truth.

Screwing the system

— Cheating or manipulating a set of rules for personal gain.

He's been screwing the system for years to avoid taxes.

Screwing down the lid

— Literally tightening a lid or metaphorically imposing strict control.

The manager is screwing down the lid on office expenses.

Screwing into place

— Fastening something securely using screws.

The carpenter is screwing the hinges into place.

Screwing around with

— Tampering with something or playing with it aimlessly.

Stop screwing around with the TV remote.

Screwing up the works

— Causing a process or machine to fail or stop working.

One small error is screwing up the whole works.

Screwing the lid on

— Closing a container by rotating the top.

She is screwing the lid on the honey jar.

Souvent confondu avec

screwing vs bolting

Bolting uses a bolt and a nut, usually requiring a wrench, while screwing uses a screw and a screwdriver.

screwing vs nailing

Nailing involves a hammer and a smooth fastener, not a threaded one.

screwing vs messing

'Messing around' is very similar to 'screwing around' but slightly less informal.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Have a screw loose"

— To be slightly crazy or eccentric.

That guy talking to the tree must have a screw loose.

informal

"Screw up your courage"

— To force yourself to be brave.

He screwed up his courage and asked her to dance.

neutral

"Screw someone over"

— To cheat or treat someone very unfairly.

The landlord really screwed them over by keeping the deposit.

slang

"Screw the pooch"

— To make a disastrous mistake.

The pilot really screwed the pooch on that landing.

slang

"Screw your eyes shut"

— To close your eyes very tightly.

She screwed her eyes shut and waited for the noise to stop.

neutral

"Put the screws on someone"

— To pressure someone into doing something.

The bank is putting the screws on him to pay back the loan.

informal

"Screw around"

— To waste time or behave in a silly way.

Quit screwing around and help me with the groceries.

informal

"Screw with someone"

— To tease, annoy, or confuse someone.

Are you serious, or are you just screwing with me?

informal

"Screw-up"

— A person who frequently makes mistakes (noun).

I feel like such a screw-up today.

informal

"Screw it"

— An expression of frustration or giving up.

Screw it, I'm going home.

slang

Facile à confondre

screwing vs screwed

It's the past tense but also an adjective.

'Screwing' is the action; 'screwed' is the state of being in trouble or fastened.

I am screwing the lid on (action). I am screwed (in trouble).

screwing vs screwy

Similar sound and root.

'Screwy' is an adjective meaning weird or crazy; 'screwing' is a verb.

That's a screwy idea.

screwing vs skewing

Very similar pronunciation.

'Skewing' means distorting data or an angle; 'screwing' is fastening or failing.

The results are skewing the data.

screwing vs scouring

Similar sound.

'Scouring' means cleaning hard or searching thoroughly.

I am scouring the pan.

screwing vs sewing

Similar sound.

'Sewing' involves a needle and thread for fabric.

She is sewing a dress.

Structures de phrases

I am screwing the [object] [on/off].

I am screwing the lid on.

He is screwing the [object] into the [object].

He is screwing the bolt into the wall.

I really screwed up the [noun].

I really screwed up the presentation.

Stop screwing around and [verb].

Stop screwing around and help me.

They are screwing [person] over.

They are screwing the workers over.

Screwing up his courage, he [verb past].

Screwing up his courage, he entered the room.

The [noun] is screwing [noun] down.

The manager is screwing costs down.

His [possessive] screwing the [noun] was [adjective].

His screwing the system was legendary.

Famille de mots

Noms

Verbes

Adjectifs

Apparenté

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very high in spoken English; moderate in written English.

Erreurs courantes

Using 'screwing' for nailing. → I am nailing the board.
Screwing requires a threaded fastener and a turning motion; nailing requires a hammer.
Saying 'I screwed the exam' to mean failure. → I screwed up the exam.
The phrasal verb 'screwed up' is the standard way to express making a mistake.
Using 'screwing up' in a formal business letter. → We apologize for the error in the report.
'Screwing up' is too informal for professional correspondence.
Confusing 'screwing with' and 'screwing over'. → He is screwing me over (cheating me).
'Screwing with' is teasing; 'screwing over' is serious cheating.
Using 'screwing' as a standalone verb in polite company. → He is fixing the table.
Standalone use can be misinterpreted as vulgar slang.

Astuces

Context is King

Always check the situation before using 'screwing.' If you are in a professional setting, stick to 'fastening' or 'making a mistake' to be safe.

Phrasal Verb Power

Learn 'screwing up,' 'screwing over,' and 'screwing around' as complete units of meaning rather than individual words.

Safe Alternatives

Use 'messing up' as a non-vulgar alternative to 'screwing up' if you are unsure about the social situation.

Clear Endings

Make sure to pronounce the 'ing' clearly to avoid sounding too sloppy or uneducated in formal speech.

Avoid in Essays

Never use 'screwing up' in an academic essay. Use 'erring' or 'committing an error' instead.

Building Rapport

Using 'screwing around' with friends can make you sound more natural and relaxed in casual English.

Be Precise

In DIY, distinguish between 'screwing' (using a screwdriver) and 'bolting' (using a wrench).

Mental State

Remember 'having a screw loose' is a common, slightly rude way to call someone crazy.

Tone Check

If someone sounds angry and says 'screwing,' they probably mean 'cheating' or 'failing,' not 'fastening.'

Avoid Standalone Use

Try not to use 'screwing' as a verb without an object or a preposition to avoid the vulgar sexual meaning.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a screw turning. If you turn it the wrong way, you 'screw up' the wood. If you turn it on someone, you 'screw them over'.

Association visuelle

Imagine a giant screwdriver turning a giant lightbulb into the earth. This helps remember the literal and the 'big' metaphorical meanings.

Word Web

Screw Screwdriver Screwing up Screwing over Unscrewing Screwing around Screwing in Screwing tight

Défi

Try to use 'screwing' in three different ways today: once for a physical action, once for a mistake, and once for wasting time.

Origine du mot

The word 'screw' comes from the Middle French 'escroe' and the Latin 'scrofa' (meaning a sow, possibly from the shape of a pig's tail or the way a screw 'digs' in).

Sens originel : Originally referred to the hole or nut that a screw fits into, rather than the screw itself.

Indo-European > Germanic roots influenced by Latin/French.

Contexte culturel

Be aware that 'screwing' is a common slang for sex. Avoid using it in contexts where this could be the primary interpretation.

Commonly used in casual speech but avoided in polite or formal society.

The movie 'The Right Stuff' popularized 'screwing the pooch'. Shakespeare's Macbeth: 'Screw your courage to the sticking-place'. Countless DIY shows like 'This Old House'.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Home Improvement

Screwing into the stud
Screwing the hinges
Screwing on the cap
Screwing the bracket

Workplace Mistakes

I screwed up the report
Screwing up the deadline
A major screw-up
Don't screw this up

Social Conflict

Screwing me over
Screwing with my head
Screwing the customers
Stop screwing around

Physical Reactions

Screwing up your face
Screwing your eyes shut
Screwing up your nose
Screwing up your courage

Mechanical Engineering

Screwing the bolt
Screwing the fastener
Screwing the assembly
Screwing the fitting

Amorces de conversation

"Have you ever really screwed up a DIY project at home?"

"Do you think companies are screwing people over with subscription models?"

"How do you handle it when you realize you're screwing up a task at work?"

"Is 'screwing around' a big problem in schools in your country?"

"What's the hardest thing you've had to screw up your courage to do?"

Sujets d'écriture

Write about a time you screwed up a major plan and what you learned from it.

Describe a DIY project where you spent hours screwing things together.

Reflect on a situation where you felt a company or person was screwing you over.

How do you feel when you see people screwing around instead of being productive?

Write a story about a character who has to screw up their courage for a big event.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

It depends on the context. In its literal sense (fastening a screw), it is perfectly fine. In the context of 'screwing up' (making a mistake), it is informal but not offensive. However, as a slang term for sexual intercourse, it is considered vulgar and should be used with caution.

They mean the same thing (making a mistake). 'Messing up' is slightly more polite and safer to use in mixed company. 'Screwing up' is a bit more informal and can sometimes carry a stronger tone of frustration.

It is generally better to avoid it. Use 'making a mistake,' 'failing,' or 'fastening' instead. Using 'screwing up' might make you sound too casual or unprofessional in a serious business environment.

It means to treat someone very unfairly, often by cheating them out of money or an advantage. For example, 'The company is screwing its customers over by charging hidden fees.'

You use the phrase 'screwing up your face.' It describes the action of wrinkling your nose, eyes, and forehead, usually because of a bad smell, a sour taste, or deep concentration.

No, they are opposites. 'Screwing' is the act of tightening or putting a screw in. 'Unscrewing' is the act of loosening or taking a screw out.

It means wasting time, behaving in a silly or unproductive way, or not taking a situation seriously. For example, 'Stop screwing around and finish your chores!'

When used as a noun (often with a hyphen), a 'screw-up' is a mistake or a person who often makes mistakes. For example, 'That was a major screw-up' or 'I feel like a total screw-up.'

It means to tease, prank, or intentionally confuse someone. For example, 'Are you really moving to Japan, or are you just screwing with me?'

It comes from the noun 'screw,' which has roots in Middle French and Latin. The mechanical use is the original meaning, with the metaphorical and slang uses developing much later in the English language.

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