put the screws on (someone)

informal

to use force or threats to make someone do what you want.

They put the screws on him until eventually he was forced to resign.

• be as strong as an ox
• be as stubborn as a mule
• be a star in the making
• be as thick as thieves
• be as thick as two short planks
• be as thin as all get out
• be as thin as a rake
• be as thin as a stick
• beast of burden
• be as tough as old boots
• be as ugly as sin
• be a sure thing
• be as white as a sheet
• be as white as snow
• beat about the bush
• beat a dead horse
• beat a hasty retreat
• be a tall order
• be at a loose end
• be at a loss
• beat a path to door
• beat a path to someone's door
• beat a retreat
• beat around the bush
• beat at own game