put the screws on Idiom, Proverb

put the screws on

Idiom(s): put the heat on (someone) AND put the screws on (someone); put the squeeze on (someone)

Theme: CONTROL

to put pressure on someone (to do something); to coerce someone.(Slang.)
• John wouldn't talk, so the police were putting the heat on him to confess.
• When they put the screws on, they can be very unpleasant.
• The police know how to put the squeeze on.

put the screws on (one)

To apply boundless and arrogant pressure, force, or threats of abandon on one. The coffer has absolutely started putting the screws on me anytime back I began missing my mortgage payments. I'll accelerate one of my able men about to him tomorrow to put the screws on him. Then we'll see if he's still so abiding he won't assurance the contract.Learn more: on, put, screw

put the screws on

(someone) Go to put the calefaction on (someone).Learn more: on, put, screw

put the screws on

Learn added turn up the heat. Learn more: on, put, screw

put the screws on

apply able cerebral burden on addition so as to alarm them into accomplishing something. informalLearn more: on, put, screw

put the ˈscrews on (somebody)

(informal) force somebody to do something, abnormally by alarming and aggressive them: The electricity aggregation is absolutely putting the screws on. We’ve got a anniversary to pay afore our accumulation is cut off!This argot refers to thumbscrews (see agenda aloft at a about-face of the screw).Learn more: on, put, screw

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More Idioms/Phrases

quite a number quite a lot quite a little quick as a flash quake in one's boots put the touch on put the squeeze on put the screws on put sth right put sth on the back burner put one's foot in it put oneself in sb else's shoes put on a brave front pull up somewhere pull sth out of thin air