cross-threading
Forcing at angles
Cross-threading is forcing a threaded fastener—a screw, bolt, or lid—at an angle that prevents proper engagement of the threads.
The result is damaged threads that won't grip correctly: I cross-threaded the oil drain plug and had to replace the whole pan.
The term extends to any situation where components that should align smoothly are instead mismatched or jammed together wrong.
Had coverings removed
- misalignedNot properly positioned
- boltThreaded rod for nuts
- nutHard-shelled seed
- screwThreaded metal fastener
fastener · torque · tightening · damage · galling · binding · force · angle
Mental disorientation or bewilderment
- misunderstandingFailure to grasp meaning
- disconnectTo break a connection
- tangentLine touching curve once
- derailmentLeaving the intended track
conversation · forum · discussion · reply · off-topic · miscommunication · digression · conflation
stripped
Had coverings removed
- misalignedNot properly positioned
- boltThreaded rod for nuts
- nutHard-shelled seed
screw · fastener · torque · tightening · damage · galling · binding · force · angle · starting
confusion
Mental disorientation or bewilderment
- misunderstandingFailure to grasp meaning
- disconnectTo break a connection
- tangentLine touching curve once
derailment · conversation · forum · discussion · reply · off-topic · miscommunication · digression · conflation · overlap
- fastener failuresstripped screw, loose screw, stripped bolt, broken zipper, stuck zipper
- assembly defectsmisalignment, overtightening, skipped steps, wrong order, loose connections
- Maintenance Mistakes
- Maintenance Errorsloose bolts, overfilling, skipped steps