Put the screws to someone
verb phrase
To use extreme coercive pressure; harass; PUT THE HEAT ON someone: The only reason Fidel agreed was to put the screws to Reagan
[1940s+; fr a torturer’s use of thumbscrews; put the screws on is found by 1834]
Read Also:
- Put the skids on
Bring to a halt, as in The school committee put the skids on the idea of a dress code. The word skid here probably refers to a shoe or drag that applies pressure to the wheel of a vehicle to prevent it from moving.
- Put the slug on someone
verb phrase
- Put the snatch on
verb phrase To take or commandeer; seize; kidnap: The Treasury Department is going to put the snatch on virtually the entire 40 grand (1940s+)
- Put the spurs to someone
verb phrase To urge and goad; prod; goose: had een criti of the Pentagon and had ”put the spurs to us from time to time” (1898+)
- Put the squeeze on someone
verb phrase To put under heavy pressure or exigency; LEAN ON someone, PUT THE HEAT ON someone: She hired me to put the squeeze on Linda for a divorce (1941+)