Definition of the word screw up

The origin of the phrase "screw up" dates back to the mid-1900s. The exact origin is unclear, but one popular theory suggests that it derived from the nautical term "screw," referring to a propeller on a ship. In nautical terminology, "screwing up" meant causing a propeller to become damaged, misaligned, or improperly installed, which would negatively affect the ship's movement. The expression came to be used figuratively to describe other situations in which something was mishandled or went wrong. By the 1940s, "screw up" had become a part of everyday English, reflecting the increasing popularity of the nautical phrase "screwing up" in military slang. The term gained widespread recognition in the 1960s and 1970s, as it became a part of popular culture through its use in movies, music, and television shows. Today, "screw up" is a commonly used slang term in English, synonymous with other expressions like "mess up," "botch up," and "make a mistake." Its exact origins may be unclear, but the term's nautical roots continue to be an intriguing part of its rich cultural history.