screw up

meter la pata, estropear

Cometer un error importante o hacer que algo salga mal.

En inglés sencillo: To make a serious mistake or spoil something.

• I screwed up.
• They screwed up our order again.
• Did one bad decision screw up the whole project?

Cómo se usa: screw up something (I screwed up the booking.); screw something up (Do not screw this opportunity up.)

Sinónimos: mess up, ruin, botch

Expresiones frecuentes: screw up something, screw up badly, screw up again

arrugar, fruncir

Apretar, retorcer o aplastar algo hasta deformarlo; también se usa para fruncir la cara.

En inglés sencillo: To twist, squeeze, or crush something into a tight or awkward shape.

• She screwed up the paper.
• He screwed up his eyes against the bright light.
• The child screwed up her face and started crying.

Cómo se usa: screw up something (He screwed up his face at the bitter taste.); screw something up into something (She screwed the paper up into a ball.)

Sinónimos: crumple, scrunch up, contort

Expresiones frecuentes: screw up paper, screw up something

armarse de valor, reunir valor

Hacer un esfuerzo para reunir el valor o la determinación necesarios para afrontar algo difícil.

En inglés sencillo: To force yourself to find enough courage or determination to do something difficult.

• I finally screwed up my courage.
• She screwed up enough nerve to ask for help.
• Can he screw up the courage to tell the truth?

Cómo se usa: screw up the courage to do something (I screwed up the courage to speak to my boss.)

Sinónimos: muster, summon, gather

Expresiones frecuentes: screw up courage, screw up determination

apretar, atornillar

Ajustar o fijar algo girando tornillos o una pieza con rosca.

En inglés sencillo: To make something tight or secure by turning screws or a part with a spiral edge.

• Screw up the lid tightly.
• She screwed up the bolts on the bracket.
• Have you screwed the cap up properly?

Cómo se usa: screw up something (Screw up the lid until it is tight.); screw something up (He screwed the loose bolts up firmly.)

Sinónimos: tighten, fasten

Antónimos: loosen

Expresiones frecuentes: screw up bolts, screw up tightly, screw up something

elevar, subir

Subir algo girando una manivela o una pieza con rosca.

En inglés sencillo: To move something higher by turning a handle or a part with a spiral edge.

• Screw up the seat a little.
• He screwed the platform up by turning the handle.
• Can you screw up the table another inch?

Cómo se usa: screw up something (Screw up the platform to the required height.); screw something up (She screwed the adjustable seat up a little.)

Sinónimos: raise, wind up

Antónimos: lower

Expresiones frecuentes: screw up something, screw up higher

subir abusivamente, inflar

Aumentar el alquiler u otros cobros hasta una cantidad injustamente alta.

En inglés sencillo: To increase rent or other charges to an unfairly high amount.

• The landlord screwed up the rent.
• They screwed up their fees beyond what families could afford.
• Why are the owners screwing up these charges again?

Cómo se usa: screw up something (The landlord screwed up the rent after the repairs.)

Sinónimos: inflate, hike

Expresiones frecuentes: screw up rents, screw up fees, screw up prices