twist
verb /twɪst/
/twɪst/
Verb Forms
Idioms Phrasal Verbs| present simple I / you / we / they twist | /twɪst/ /twɪst/ |
| he / she / it twists | /twɪsts/ /twɪsts/ |
| past simple twisted | /ˈtwɪstɪd/ /ˈtwɪstɪd/ |
| past participle twisted | /ˈtwɪstɪd/ /ˈtwɪstɪd/ |
| -ing form twisting | /ˈtwɪstɪŋ/ /ˈtwɪstɪŋ/ |
- [transitive] twist something (into something) to bend or turn something into a particular shape
- Twist the wire to form a circle.
- Her hair was twisted into a knot on top of her head.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- slightly
- gently
- quickly
- …
- around
- round
- into
- …
- twist and turn
- twist (yourself) free
- twist something out of shape
- …
- [transitive, intransitive] to bend or turn something into a shape or position that is not normal or natural; to be bent or turned in this way
- twist something (+ adv./prep.) He grabbed me and twisted my arm behind my back.
- + adv./prep. Her face twisted in anger.
Extra Examples- Her mouth was twisted out of shape by grief.
- His mouth twisted bitterly.
- My stomach twisted into knots.
- Nicola's face twisted into a grimace of disgust.
- The bike was just a heap of twisted metal.
- The boy's leg was twisted back painfully.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- slightly
- gently
- quickly
- …
- around
- round
- into
- …
- twist and turn
- twist (yourself) free
- twist something out of shape
- …
- [transitive, intransitive] to turn part of your body around while the rest stays still
- twist something (+ adv./prep.) He twisted his head around to look at her.
- + adv./prep. She twisted in her chair when I called her name.
Extra Examples- Hold your arms out to the sides and twist your upper body.
- He twisted sideways to face her.
- Tim twisted round and glared at her.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- slightly
- gently
- quickly
- …
- around
- round
- into
- …
- twist and turn
- twist (yourself) free
- twist something out of shape
- …
- [intransitive, transitive] to turn your body with quick, sharp movements and change direction often
- I twisted and turned to avoid being caught.
- + adv./prep. She tried unsuccessfully to twist free.
- twist something/yourself + adv./prep. He managed to twist himself round in the restricted space.
Extra Examples- She fired again and saw the creature twist violently.
- Rachel twisted and turned in her sleep.
- The prisoner twisted in his seat, trying to free the ropes around his wrists.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- slightly
- gently
- quickly
- …
- around
- round
- into
- …
- twist and turn
- twist (yourself) free
- twist something out of shape
- …
- [transitive] twist something (+ adv./prep.) to turn something around in a circle with your hand
- Twist the knob to the left to open the door.
- Nervously I twisted the ring on my finger.
Extra Examples- She placed her hand on the doorknob and twisted slowly.
- Try twisting the handle to the right.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- slightly
- gently
- quickly
- …
- around
- round
- into
- …
- twist and turn
- twist (yourself) free
- twist something out of shape
- …
- [intransitive] to bend and change direction often
- The road twists and turns along the coast.
- narrow twisting streets
- a twisting staircase
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- slightly
- gently
- quickly
- …
- around
- round
- into
- …
- twist and turn
- twist (yourself) free
- twist something out of shape
- …
- [transitive] twist something to injure part of your body, especially your ankle, wrist or knee, bending it in an uncomfortable way
- She fell and twisted her ankle.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- slightly
- gently
- quickly
- …
- around
- round
- into
- …
- twist and turn
- twist (yourself) free
- twist something out of shape
- …
- [transitive] twist something (+ adv./prep.) to wind something around or through an object
- She twisted a scarf around her head.
- I twisted the bandage around his leg.
- The telephone cable has got twisted (= wound around itself).
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- slightly
- gently
- quickly
- …
- around
- round
- into
- …
- twist and turn
- twist (yourself) free
- twist something out of shape
- …
- [intransitive] twist (round/around something) to move or grow by winding around something
- A snake was twisting around his arm.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- slightly
- gently
- quickly
- …
- around
- round
- into
- …
- twist and turn
- twist (yourself) free
- twist something out of shape
- …
- [transitive] twist something to deliberately change the meaning of what somebody has said, or to present facts in a particular way, in order to benefit yourself or harm somebody else synonym misrepresent
- You always twist everything I say.
- The newspaper was accused of twisting the facts.
- [transitive] twist something (into something) to turn or wind strings, etc. together to make something longer or thicker
- They had twisted the sheets into a rope and escaped by climbing down it.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- slightly
- gently
- quickly
- …
- around
- round
- into
- …
- twist and turn
- twist (yourself) free
- twist something out of shape
- …
bend into shape
turn body
turn with hand
of roads/rivers
injure part of body
wind around
facts
strings
Word OriginOld English (as a noun), of Germanic origin; probably from the base of twin and twine. Current verb senses date from late Middle English.
Idioms
turn/twist the knife (in the wound)
- to say or do something unkind deliberately; to make somebody who is unhappy feel even more unhappy
- Marcia laughed as she twisted the knife still deeper.
- Just to twist the knife, the filmmakers have provided a surprise ending.
twist somebody’s arm
- (informal) to persuade or force somebody to do somethingTopics Discussion and agreementc1
twist/wrap/wind somebody around your little finger
- (informal) to persuade somebody to do anything that you want
- She has always been able to twist her parents around her little finger.