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3. put the screws to (someone)

put the screws to (someone)

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put the screws to (someone)

To exert excessive and coercive pressure, force, or threats of violence on someone. The bank has really started putting the screws to me ever since I began missing my mortgage payments. I'll send a bit of muscle around tomorrow to put the screws to him. Then we'll see if he's still so sure he won't sign the contract.

See also: put, screw