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screw off

B2 informal separable both
In simple words

To take something off by turning it (like a lid), or a rude way of telling someone to leave you alone.

Literal meaning: To screw (rotate) something off (away from its position).

Meanings

1 B1 neutral

To remove a lid, cap, or component by rotating it in the unscrewing direction.

"Screw off the fuel cap carefully and check the tank level."

Grammar: separable
2 B2 idiomatic slang

(Vulgar/slang) A rude command telling someone to go away or stop bothering you.

"When the persistent salesman knocked for the third time, he opened the door and told him to screw off."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Has two distinct senses: a practical, literal one (removing a lid or cap by rotating it) and a vulgar dismissal ('screw off!' = 'go away!'). The dismissal sense is rude and should be avoided in polite contexts. More common in American English.

Commonly used with

lid cap top bolt nut

Forms

Base
screw off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
screws off
he/she/it
Past simple
screwed off
yesterday
Past participle
screwed off
have + pp
-ing form
screwing off
continuous

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Synonyms

unscrew remove take off get lost (slang) get out

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