English

Adjective

screwed ‎(comparative more screwed, superlative most screwed)

1. (slang) beset with unfortunate circumstances that seem difficult or impossible to overcome; in imminent danger.

   They found out about our betrayal, so now we're screwed.

2. (slang, Britain) intoxicated.
   • James Joyce, Dubliners

     Besides they were dreadfully afraid that Freddy Malins might turn up screwed. They would not wish for worlds that any of Mary Jane's pupils should see him under the influence […]

Usage notes

• Often employed as a bowdlerization, or substitution, for fucked.

Synonyms

• (beset, vulgar): fucked, dicked, shagged (British); see also Wikisaurus:in trouble

Derived terms

• screwed, blued and tattooed / screwed, glued and tattooed

Translations

See also

• screwed up

Usage notes

Because the sexual act as a metaphor for domination is a frequent association for the term 'screwed', it is potentially offensive in polite circles.

Verb

screwed

1. simple past tense and past participle of ****

   He screwed the boards together tightly.

   I got screwed at the swap meet yesterday.

   • 1641, Richard Chambers (merchant), quoted in Hannis Taylor, The Origin and Growth of the English Constitution: An Historical Treatise, Part II: The After-Growth of the Constitution, H.O. Houghton & Company (1889), p. 274,

     […] merchants are in no part of the world so screwed as in England. In Turkey, they have more encouragement.

References

1. 1 2 "**** (n.)" in the Online Etymology Dictionary, Douglas Harper, 2001
2. ↑ "**** (v.)" in the Online Etymology Dictionary, Douglas Harper, 2001