to tighten screws

См. также в других словарях:

• tighten the screws — To increase pressure (esp on someone to do something) • • • Main Entry: ↑tight * * * tighten the screws informal : to put more pressure on someone or something to do something We need to tighten the screws on people who ve been evading the tax. • …   Useful english dictionary

• tighten the screws on someone — tighten the screws on (someone/something) to make it harder for someone to do something. Government agencies need to tighten the screws on illegal immigrants. We are putting the screws on that country to end its history of helping terrorists.… …   New idioms dictionary

• tighten the screws on something — tighten the screws on (someone/something) to make it harder for someone to do something. Government agencies need to tighten the screws on illegal immigrants. We are putting the screws on that country to end its history of helping terrorists.… …   New idioms dictionary

• tighten the screws on — (someone/something) to make it harder for someone to do something. Government agencies need to tighten the screws on illegal immigrants. We are putting the screws on that country to end its history of helping terrorists. Usage notes: sometimes… …   New idioms dictionary

• tighten the screws on (someone) — tighten/turn the screws on (someone) informal put the screws on (someone) to use force or threats to make someone do what you want. The police are turning the screws on drivers who don t wear their seat belts by fining them …   New idioms dictionary

• tighten — tight|en [ˈtaıtn] v also tighten up 1.) [T] to close or fasten something firmly by turning it ≠ ↑loosen ▪ Tighten the screws firmly. ▪ I d put the new tyre on, but I hadn t tightened up the wheel. 2.) [I and T] if you tighten a rope, wire etc, or …   Dictionary of contemporary English

• tighten — also tighten up verb 1 (T) to close or fasten something firmly by turning it: Tighten up the screws. | You ll need to tighten the lid on the jar. 2 (I, T) if you tighten a rope, wire etc, or if it tightens, it is stretched or pulled so that it… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

• tighten the screws on someone — put/tighten/turn/the screws on someone informal phrase to put more pressure on someone to do something, for example by threatening them His creditors were putting the screws on him. Thesaurus: to nag or force someone to do something …   Useful english dictionary

• screws — See: TIGHTEN THE SCREWS …   Dictionary of American idioms

• tighten the screws — {v. phr.} To try to make someone do something by making it more and more difficult not to do it; apply pressure. * /When many students still missed class after he began giving daily quizzes, the teacher tightened the screws by failing anyone… …   Dictionary of American idioms

• screws — See: TIGHTEN THE SCREWS …   Dictionary of American idioms