phrasal verb / idiom · formal
turn the screw
UK/tɜːn ðə skruː/US/tɜːrn ðə skruː/turn·the·SCREW
to increase pressure or make conditions harder in order to force someone to act or comply
Examples
“The government turned the screw on polluters by introducing much harsher fines.”
“As negotiations stalled, the union turned the screw by threatening widespread strike action.”
“Regulators turned the screw on banks after the scandal came to light.”
Band 8 sentence
“To curb illegal dumping the agency progressively turned the screw on offenders, imposing heavier penalties and tougher inspections.”
Collocations
- turn the screw on + organisation/industry/politician
- turn the screw further/harder
Word family
Common mistakes
translate as 'vặn ốc' literally→turn the screw
use 'pressure' without collocation→turn the screw
Say it for a higher band
5pressure→6put pressure on→7+turn the screw
Synonyms
tighten the screws on
increase pressure on
Easily confused
put pressure on
“Activists put pressure on the council to change the policy.”
tighten the screws
“The board tightened the screws on the underperforming department.”
Related words
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