screw off

present singular third person screws off · participle present screwing off · participle past screwed off · past screwed off

1. To remove the lid of a jar or other container by unscrewing it.

   Hold it in two hands and screw off the lid. Set the lid down. Inside are pickled onions.

   2004, Cathy Myata, Speaking rules!: Games and activities for creating effective speakers, presenters and storytellers, page 52

2. colloquialidiomaticTo fail to do one's work; to goof off.

   When the boss wasn't around on the weekend they would sometimes screw off.

   1 more example

   On account of the high rate of wages at Sydney, stevedores will not "screw off" now so willingly as they did formerly.

   1878, Robert White Stevens, On the stowage of ships and their cargoes: with information regarding freights, charter parties, &c., &c., page 798

3. colloquialidiomaticTo leave; to bugger off.

   I finished the work early so I screwed off.

1. idiomaticpossiblyvulgarAn expression of surprise or disbelief.

   "We just won a new car!" "Screw off! You're joking, right?"