Examples:

• The boss decided to tighten the screws on employees who kept missing deadlines.
• The government is tightening the screws on tax evaders with new laws.
• After the team’s poor performance, the coach tightened the screws during practice.
• When the suspect refused to talk, the police tightened the screws to get a confession.
• Parents often tighten the screws when their kids start neglecting their studies.
• The manager tightened the screws by demanding daily progress reports from everyone.
• The school administration tightened the screws after students began skipping classes.
• The landlord tightened the screws by raising rent and enforcing stricter rules.
• When sales dropped, the company tightened the screws on its marketing department.
• To meet the project deadline, the supervisor tightened the screws on the entire team.