put the screws: meaning & examples

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Language: English

Meanings:

  • 1.

    USUKgeneralinformalcolloquialidiomaticMachine
    • To apply pressure or coercion to someone in order to force compliance, confession, or a desired action, often through threats, intimidation, or aggressive persuasion.

    Examples

    Beta

    • The detective put the screws on the suspect to get a confession about the crime.

      El detective presionó al sospechoso para obtener una confesión sobre el crimen.

    • They put the screws on the contractor to finish the job by the deadline.

      Presionaron al contratista para que terminara el trabajo antes de la fecha límite.

    • The manager was putting the screws on the team to meet the quarterly sales targets.

      El gerente estaba presionando al equipo para cumplir las metas de ventas del trimestre.

    • She put the screws on her staff to ensure all reports were submitted on time.

      Ella presionó a su personal para asegurarse de que todos los informes se entregaran a tiempo.

  • 2.

    USgeneralinformalidiomaticMachine
    • To subject someone or a group to severe scrutiny, demanding pressure, or punitive measures intended to compel behavior or extract concessions.

    Examples

    Beta

    • The union leaders put the screws on management to negotiate better wages for workers.

      Los líderes sindicales presionaron a la gerencia para negociar mejores salarios para los trabajadores.

    • During the audit, the inspectors really put the screws on the company’s financial records.

      Durante la auditoría, los inspectores examinaron rigurosamente los registros financieros de la empresa.

    • The government put the screws on the corporation to comply with new environmental regulations.

      El gobierno presionó a la corporación para que cumpliera con las nuevas regulaciones ambientales.

Examples:

  • EN: You were in there trying to put the screws on him.
    ES: Estabas ahí intimidándoles.
  • EN: You've got to put the screws on.
    ES: Tienes que ponerles los tornillos.
  • EN: So he could put the screws on.
    ES: Será él quien apretará los tornillos.
  • EN: That'd really put the screws on us.
    ES: - Nos pondrían en un aprieto.
  • EN: What would happen if we put the screws to Ferrar.
    ES: ¿Qué ocurriría si le apretásemos los tornillos a Ferrar?
  • EN: "Go. Before they put the screws on you, before they torture you. "
    ES: "Vete antes de que te aprieten las clavijas, antes de que torturen".
  • EN: He's told every bistro owner in Montmartre: "If anything happens to him, I'll put the screws on you."
    ES: si le sucede algo, se nos echará encima.
  • EN: You guys want to put the screws on, go right ahead.
    ES: Si queréis apretarme las tuercas, adelante.
  • EN: When they're done with the ghetto, they'll put the screws to us.
    ES: ¡Tan pronto, como acaben con el Ghetto comenzarán con nosotros!
  • EN: Now, don't put the screws on me, darling.
    ES: No trates de asustarme, querido.
  • EN: In case they put the screws on Tommy and he sings a little.
    ES: En el caso de que Tommy hablara bajo presión.
  • EN: He's gonna put the screws in.
    ES: - ¿Va a presionarte?
  • EN: Let's put the screws on him.
    ES: Presionémosle.
  • EN: Clain put the screws to me, and promised me hell, so I threw him a bone.
    ES: Clain me preguntó dónde estabas. y me prometió tantos problemas que decidí tirarme un farol.
  • EN: They'll put the screws to him.
    ES: Le apretarán los tornillos a él.
  • EN: You were in there trying to put the screws on him.
    ES: Estabas ahí intimidándoles.
  • EN: You've got to put the screws on.
    ES: Tienes que ponerles los tornillos.
  • EN: So he could put the screws on.
    ES: Será él quien apretará los tornillos.
  • EN: That'd really put the screws on us.
    ES: - Nos pondrían en un aprieto.

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Sourced from Wiktionary

Source: Wiktionary

put the screws: Meaning, Examples & Usage (English) | Idiomator