screw with

Tamper with intentionally

To screw with someone is to mess with them—deceiving, manipulating, or playing mind games: Stop screwing with me and tell me the truth.

It can also mean to tamper with something, interfering in ways that cause problems: Someone's been screwing with the thermostat.

The phrase carries a confrontational edge, implying deliberate disruption rather than innocent meddling.

manipulate

exploit

Notable act or abuse

hustle · dupe · mislead · fool · string along · jerk around · take advantage of · use · coerce · pressure

tease

kid

Child or young goat

  • ribCurved chest bone
  • razzPlayful verbal teasing
  • prankPlayful trick on someone

wind up · yank someone's chain · pull someone's leg · josh · needle · goad · taunt · mock · have on · put on

tamper

sabotage

Deliberate disruption of operations

  • alterMake a modification
  • adjustChange to fit better
  • rigEquipment arrangement or vehicle

doctor · hack · corrupt · compromise · disable · break · damage · vandalize · booby-trap · jury-rig

Opposites
interference vs. non-interference

screw withleave alone

Refrain from disturbing

leave be · let be · hands off · back off · mind one's own business

harm vs. help

screw withhelp

Assistance given

assist · support · aid · look out for · take care of

deception vs. honesty

screw withlevel with

Speak honestly to

tell it like it is

Family

screw, with, screws, screwed, screwing, screwdriver, corkscrew, unscrew, unscrewed

Familiarity
Top 100,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG