English, baby!

Screwed!

Date: May 31 2007

Lesson

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."

Comments

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realman986

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

that was awesome and helpful.

emalyn

Philippines

thanks a lot ! its a good lesson….. or …topic today

emalyn

Philippines

she is completly screwed up on her school project.

zeus164

Turkey

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

wimzy

Algeria

i must say: it's a super lesson

wimzy

Algeria

i must say: it's a super lesson

march4word

Nigeria

nice lesson

sanae007

Morocco

thank so mush for this interssting lesson i enjoyed iit

sanae007

Morocco

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

lllwh@englishbaby.com

Myanmar

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

anilsankhwar

India

thanks

Demmi

China

thank you for your explanation

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