tighten the screws
phrase
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.
Cite this Entry
“Tighten the screws.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tighten%20the%20screws. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
