twist

Universal Words verb, noun verb bend into shape 1 [VN] to bend or turn sth into a particular shape: Twist the wire to form a circle. * Her hair was twisted into a knot on top of her head. 2 [often +adv./prep.] to bend or turn sth into a shape or position that is not normal or natural; to be bent or turned in this way: [VN] The bike was just a heap of twisted metal. * He grabbed me and twisted my arm behind my back. * [V] Her face twisted in anger. turn body 3 to turn part of your body around while the rest stays still: [VN] He twisted his head around to look at her. * [V] She twisted in her chair when I called her name. 4 [usually +adv./prep.] to turn your body with quick sharp movements and change direction often: [V] I twisted and turned to avoid being caught. * She tried unsuccessfully to twist free. * [VN] He managed to twist himself round in the restricted space. turn with hand 5 [VN] to turn sth 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. of roads / rivers 6 [V] to bend and change direction often: The road twists and turns along the coast. * narrow twisting streets * a twisting staircase ankle / wrist / knee 7 [VN] to injure part of your body, especially your ankle, wrist or knee, bending it in an awkward way: She fell and twisted her ankle. wind around 8 [VN+adv./prep.] to wind sth around or through an object: She twisted a scarf around her head. * The telephone cable has got twisted (= wound around itself). 9 [V] ~ (round / around sth) to move or grow by winding around sth: A snake was twisting around his arm. facts 10 [VN] to deliberately change the meaning of what sb has said, or to present facts in a particular way, in order to benefit yourself or harm sb else: You always twist everything I say. * The newspaper was accused of twisting the facts. threads 11 [VN] ~ sth (into sth) to turn or wind threads, etc. together to make sth longer or thicker: They had twisted the sheets into a rope and escaped by climbing down it. IDIOMS twist sb's arm (informal) to persuade or force sb to do sth moreatKNIFEn., LITTLEFINGER PHRASALVERBS twist sth<->off to turn and pull sth with your hand to remove it from sth: I twisted off the lid and looked inside. * a twist-off cap / top noun action of turning 1 [C] the action of turning sth with your hand, or of turning a part of your body: She gave the lid another twist and it came off. * He gave a shy smile and a little twist of his head. unexpected change 2 [C] an unexpected change or development in a story or situation: the twists and turns of his political career * The story has taken another twist. * The disappearance of a vital witness added a new twist to the case. * By a curious twist of fate we met again only a week or so later. * a bizarre twist to the tale in road / river 3 [C] a sharp bend in a road or river: The car followed the twists and turns of the mountain road. * They approached a twist in the path. shape 4 [C] a thing that has been twisted into a particular shape: a twist of tobacco / paper * mineral water with a twist of lemon dance 5 (the twist) [sing.] a fast dance that was popular in the 1960s in which you twist from side to side IDIOMS round the bend / twist (informal, especially BrE) crazy: She's gone completely round the twist. moreatKNICKERS