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Shrewd vs Screwed - What's the difference?

shrewd | screwed |

As adjectives the difference between shrewd and screwed

is that shrewd is showing clever resourcefulness in practical matters while screwed is (slang) beset with unfortunate circumstances that seem difficult or impossible to overcome; in imminent danger.

As a verb screwed is

(screw).

shrewd

English

Adjective

(er)
  • showing clever resourcefulness in practical matters
  • artful, tricky or cunning
  • streetwise
  • *
  • knowledgeable
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=November 10 , author=Jeremy Wilson , title=tEngland Under 21 5 Iceland Under 21 0: match report , work=Telegraph citation , page= , passage=The most persistent tormentor was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who scored a hat-trick in last month’s corresponding fixture in Iceland. His ability to run at defences is instantly striking, but it is his clever use of possession that has persuaded some shrewd judges that he is an even better prospect than Theo Walcott. }}
  • (archaic) Scolding, satirical, sharp.
  • * 1599 ,
    • LEONATO. By my troth, niece, thou wilt never get thee a husband, if thou be so shrewd of thy tongue.

    Derived terms

    * shrewdly * shrewdness

    screwed

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (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 .
  • (slang, British) 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

    * (sense) fucked, dicked, shagged (British)

    Derived terms

    *

    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

    (head)
  • (screw)
    • 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