put the screws on
Related to put the screws on: defer to, Off the Top of My Head, give it a shot, come to fruition, pick up on, put the screws on someone, in its entirety
put the screws on (one)
To exert excessive and coercive pressure, force, or threats of violence on one. The bank has really started putting the screws on me ever since I began missing my mortgage payments. I'll send one of my strong men around to him tomorrow to put the screws on him. Then we'll see if he's still so sure he won't sign the contract.
See also: on, put, screw
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
put the screws on
(someone) Go to put the heat on (someone).
See also: on, put, screw
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
put the screws on
see under turn up the heat.
See also: on, put, screw
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
put the screws on
exert strong psychological pressure on someone so as to intimidate them into doing something. informalSee also: on, put, screw
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
put the ˈscrews on (somebody)
(informal) force somebody to do something, especially by frightening and threatening them: The electricity company is really putting the screws on. We’ve got a week to pay before our supply is cut off!This idiom refers to thumbscrews (see note above at a turn of the screw).
See also: on, put, screw
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- put the screws on (one)
- put the screws on someone
- put the screws to (someone)
- put the screws
- tighten the screw
- tighten the screw(s) (on one)
- tighten the screws
- tighten the screws on (one)
- turn the screw on someone
- turn the screw(s) (on someone)