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View synonyms for

screw up

verb

  1. to twist out of shape or distort

  2. to summon up or call upon

    to screw up one's courage

  3. informal(also intr) to mishandle or make a mess (of)

  4. informal(often passive) to cause to become very anxious, confused, or nervous

    he is really screwed up about his exams

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


noun

  1. slangsomething mishandled or done badly

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Idioms and Phrases

Muster or summon up; see pluck up one's courage .

Make a mess of an undertaking; also, make a mistake, as in I really screwed up this report , or She said she was sorry, admitting that she had screwed up . Some authorities believe this usage is a euphemism for fuck up . [ Slang ; c. 1940]

Injure, damage, as in I screwed up my back lifting all those heavy books . [ Slang ]

Make neurotic or anxious, as in Her family really screwed her up, but her therapist has helped her a lot . [ Slang ; mid-1900s]

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Newsom became the face of this error, because he can't help but screw up with the same drama he brings to everything else.

From

Mary already has the foundational skills for library work when she barks at Derrick not to screw up the “order” of her designer denim on a rack, she just doesn’t know it yet.

From

Because you don’t want to screw up the choreography.

From

Proksch: The only time we would laugh at each other is when the other person would screw up so the scene was already ruined.

From

Red Bull will, on current form, need McLaren to screw up to win on those.

From

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screwupscrew up one's courage