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In English, the use of phrasal verbs, idioms, and slang is VERY COMMON. A phrasal verb is a verb + a preposition or adverb which creates a meaning different from the original verb. Idioms are expressions or phrases in a language thats meaning is different from the meaning of the individual words which are used (EX: "I have butterflies in my stomach" = I am very nervous/anxious, "I feel blue" = I feel sad.). And of course, slang is the language we use in casual or informal conversation.

NOW, Using the word "screw", we are going to look at the different meanings one word can have when the same root word is used as a phrasal verb, an idiom, and as slang.

Let's look at the definition of "screw" (n.) : a screw itself is a metal rod, similar to a nail, but a screw has a spiral form (see lesson photo).

Below are 3 examples that all have "screw" in them, but have completely different meanings!

1 (Phrasal Verb): TO SCREW UP. to "screw up" is to fail or ruin something. EX: "He screwed up the directions and we were lost for hours!" "I studied for hours because I didn't want to screw up on the exam."

2. (Idiom): TO HAVE A SCREW LOOSE. if someone has a "screw loose", they are considered insane or crazy. EX: "She talks to herself a lot! I think she has a screw loose." "You are going to climb Mt. Everest alone??? You have a screw loose!!"

3. (slang): SCREW OVER. to "screw over" is to deceive or trick using dishonesty; to take advantage of. EX: "The car salesman screwed me over! He sold me a car that doesn't work!" "My boyfriend cancelled our plans again! He is always screwing me over like this."

 

Isn't it amazing how many meanings one word can have?!

****For additional practice, see if you can figure out what these mean:  "(to) screw it!" to "screw around (with something)", and to "screw off".****

 

 EXAMPLE CONVERSATION:

Matt: "I completely screwed up on the calculus test today!"

Julia: "Maybe if you didn't screw around in class everyday, you would have done better."

Matt: "No! That teacher totally has a screw loose! If I fail this class, I'm screwed. My parents will kill me!"

Julia: "The semester isn't over. Study for the next test, and you won't be screwed over."

Matt: "No...there's no hope for me. Screw it."

评论

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06:14 PM Dec 05 2007 | 回复

zeus164

Turkey

wonderful ı was very happy after fınıshıng the readın ''screw'' IT IS FANTASTIC TO LEARN NEW THINGS FROM ENGLISH BABY

01:32 PM Dec 05 2007 | 回复

wimzy

wimzy

Algeria

i must say: it's a super lesson

01:32 PM Dec 05 2007 | 回复

wimzy

wimzy

Algeria

i must say: it's a super lesson

04:33 AM Dec 05 2007 | 回复

march4word

march4word

Nigeria

nice lesson

03:54 AM Dec 05 2007 | 回复

sanae007

Morocco

 thank so mush for this interssting lesson i enjoyed iitSmile

03:52 AM Dec 05 2007 | 回复

sanae007

Morocco

thank u a lot it’s a very interessting lesson i enjoyed

02:16 AM Dec 05 2007 | 回复

lllwh@englishbaby.com

Myanmar

         I think we have to be has a screw loose we want to be.

12:38 AM Dec 05 2007 | 回复

anilsankhwar

India

thanks

12:18 AM Dec 05 2007 | 回复

Demmi

China

thank you for your explanation

10:53 PM Dec 04 2007 | 回复

史巧云

China

If we work and study hard, we don’t have screw up. Also we don’t screw over ourselvies. But we must learn have a good rest, avoiding screwing ourselves loose.
I only learn the above 3 phrases. If you know others, please feel free to share it with me?
Tks n B’rgs

09:43 PM Dec 04 2007 | 回复

cyfict

cyfict

Indonesia

It’s all about screw this and that, hahaha.. Thanks.

05:34 PM Dec 04 2007 | 回复

ZINowii

Thailand

good lesson for me^^

05:33 PM Dec 04 2007 | 回复

ZINowii

Thailand

now…i feel i have screw loose!

02:43 AM Nov 18 2007 | 回复

little_apple

Slovakia

very useful lesson, i am going to add it to my favourites and study, ´cause i don´t wanna screw up on exams lol

11:08 PM Nov 08 2007 | 回复

vinothkumar.s

India

Awesome Article… Really Useful. Thanks

10:39 PM Nov 05 2007 | 回复

jigsaw_virgin

Pakistan

screw a'round  (taboo, slang) to have sex with a lot of different

But that is great…...............

08:05 AM Oct 21 2007 | 回复

eruthc

eruthc

Philippines

i got screwed up with this one…

01:48 AM Oct 20 2007 | 回复

rameez

rameez

Pakistan

I must Say … Super lesson…! really

10:56 AM Oct 19 2007 | 回复

vimars

vimars

Philippines

yes SCREW has many meanings and it depends how a person use this term.  like all things in this world  it has good side and bad side the only difference is how it is used. glad that i entered in this site i learn many things here.  goodluck to all of you.

06:44 AM Oct 13 2007 | 回复

souriceau

souriceau

Russian Federation

Hi! I'm fine! And you? I'm from Russia, exactly from Kamchatka. I think you hane never heard about this place:) Could you use the full forms of words, please:)

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