wrench

A tool used to grip and turn nuts, bolts, or pipes.

• Pass me the wrench, please.
• She loosened the bolt with a wrench.
• Which wrench fits this nut?

Similar words: spanner

Common phrases: adjustable wrench, socket wrench, pipe wrench

An injury caused by suddenly twisting or pulling part of your body.

• The fall caused a painful wrench of her knee.
• A wrench of his shoulder kept him out of the match.
• The doctor examined the wrench to her ankle.

Similar words: sprain, strain

Common phrases: a painful wrench, wrench of something

To pull or twist something suddenly and with great force.

• He wrenched the door open.
• She wrenched her arm free and ran.
• Someone had wrenched the handle off the cupboard.

How to use it: wrench something from someone/something (She wrenched the bag from his hand.); wrench something open/free (He wrenched the stuck drawer open.)

Similar words: yank, jerk, twist

Common phrases: wrench something open, wrench something away, wrench something free

To hurt a joint by suddenly twisting or pulling it.

• I wrenched my ankle on the stairs.
• She wrenched her shoulder while lifting the box.
• Be careful you don't wrench your knee.

Similar words: sprain, strain, twist

Common phrases: wrench your ankle, wrench your knee, wrench your shoulder