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.

Examples of tighten the screws in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If a state takes a position contrary to Beijing’s interests, China can tighten the screws on it by withholding spare parts, software updates, and technicians, turning a commercial partnership into a tool of leverage. — Natalia Cote-Muñoz, Foreign Affairs, 3 Aug. 2026

Trump has made little secret of his desire to tighten the screws. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2026

The phrase Barbut used was à droit constant—tighten the screws without rewriting the law. — Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 23 Jan. 2026

As air carriers tighten the screws on passengers carrying their luggage on board, these little accessories can make a big difference. — Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026

Rhymes for tighten the screws

• hypotenuse
• accrues
• accuse
• aircrews
• amuse
• bamboos
• breakthroughs
• canoes
• cashews
• chartreuse
• confuse
• construes