该习语的诞生与历史上的一种刑具 “拇指夹” (Thumb Screws) 紧密相关。这种刑具通过不断拧紧螺丝来挤压受害者的手指，造成剧痛。因此，“旋转螺丝”这一动作逐渐成为“施加痛苦、加剧压力”的隐喻。最初仅用于形容酷刑，后逐渐泛化，用于形容任何加剧紧张局势或增加困难程度的行为。所以，a turn of the screw 是一个极具画面感的习语。字面意思指“旋转一圈螺丝”。但其核心语义却与此机械动作大相径庭，实指：进一步的压力、刺激、伤害、重击或恶化，即雪上加霜，又一重创，又一记沉重打击；尤指在已经紧张或困难的局面中，使情况变得更糟、更紧张或更具伤害性。

如:

The government's new tax policy is a turn of the screw for small businesses.

政府新的税收政策对小企业来说无疑是雪上加霜。

The closure of the local factory was a turn of the screw for the town's economy.

当地工厂的倒闭对该镇的经济是雪上加霜。

The economic crisis was a turn of the screw for many families already struggling with high living costs.

经济危机对许多本已不堪高生活成本重负的家庭来说，是又一记沉重打击。

The latest round of sanctions is seen as a turn of the screw in the diplomatic standoff.

最新一轮制裁被视为外交对峙中又一次施压。

For the students, the pop quiz on the last day of term was a turn of the screw.

对学生们而言，学期最后一天的突击测验是雪上加霜。

The sudden increase in rent was a turn of the screw for the family who could barely make ends meet.

租金的突然上涨对这个几乎入不敷出的家庭来说是又一重创。

After their huge fight, forgetting her birthday was just another turn of the screw in their failing relationship.

在大吵一架之后，忘记她的生日对他们本就岌岌可危的感情来说，无疑是雪上加霜。

Her decision to move abroad for work was a turn of the screw for their long-distance relationship.

她决定为了工作移居国外，对他们的异地恋来说是又一重创。

When I was sick, he kept calling to ask for help with his project—it was a real turn of the screw.

我生病时，他还不停地打电话让我帮他做项目——这真是雪上加霜。