turn the screw
Apply more coercion
To turn the screw is to increase pressure on someone, especially to coerce or extract something from them.
The image is of a device tightening inexorably: Each day without food turned the screw on the hostages.
Often appears as turn the screws: Creditors turned the screws until he agreed to sell.
- up the anteIncrease what's risked
- viseMounted clamping tool
- strangleholdOppressive, unbreakable control
- squeeze playCoercive tactical maneuver
- tortureDeliberate infliction of suffering
twist · tighten · coercion · arm twisting · compel · intimidation · intensify · escalate · duress · crank up · apply pressure · manipulate · power play · pressure · exacerbate · dominate · psychological warfare · amplify
- adding insult to injuryrub it in, twist the knife, make it worse, aggravate, worsen
turn the screwease off
Become less intense
let up · back off · ease up · relent · cut some slack
turn the screwshow mercy
Treat with leniency
cut some slack · let off the hook · spare · forgive · be kind
turn, turns, turned, turning, turner, turners, screw, screws, screwed