screw up

British  

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

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noun

1. slang something mishandled or done badly

screw up Idioms  

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

2. 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]

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

4. 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

“I’m just not used to talking in public. I’m scared I’ll screw up, and everybody laughs at me.”

From Literature

His face screws up, like he thinks it’s silly.

From Literature

“I really don’t want to screw up the lineup,” Woods added.

From Los Angeles Times

“But I think the basketball stuff is really what differentiates the experience…knowing how to work in a team, how to build relationships, being able to handle constructive feedback when you screw up.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Jonah stops at the top, jogging in place as he waits for me, and his face screws up with worry.

From Literature

Related Words

• botch
• bungle
• confuse
• flub
• muddle
• spoil