1an act of twisting something around a stationary point:the taps needed a single twist to turn them on
an act of turning one’s body or part of one’s body:with a sudden twist, she got away from him
(the twist) a dance with a twisting movement of the body, popular in the 1960s:lets do the twist
[mass noun] the extent of twisting of a rod or other object.
[mass noun] force producing twisting; torque.
[mass noun] forward motion combined with rotation about an axis.
the rifling in the bore of a gun:barrels with a 1:24 inch twist
2a thing with a spiral shape:a barley sugar twist
British a paper packet with twisted ends:he handed her a twist of paper
a small quantity of tobacco, sugar, salt, or a similar substance, wrapped in such a packet:he bought a packet of crisps with a blue twist of salt in them
a curled piece of lemon peel used to flavour a drink:she drank vodka and tonic with a twist of lemon
3a distorted shape:he had a cruel twist to his mouth
an unusual feature of a person’s personality, typically an unhealthy one:her lack of considerateness is a personality twist which could bring her problems
British informal a swindle.
4a point at which something turns or bends:the car negotiated the twists and turns of the mountain road
an unexpected development of events:it was soon time for the next twist of fate in his extraordinary career
a new treatment or outlook; a variation:she takes conventional subjects and gives them a twist
5 [mass noun] a fine strong thread consisting of twisted strands of cotton or silk.
6British a drink consisting of two ingredients mixed together.
7a carpet with a tightly curled pile.
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Universal
1form into a bent, curling, or distorted shape:a strip of metal is twisted to form a hollow tubeher pretty features twisted into a fearsome expression
[with object and adverbial] form (something) into a particular shape by taking hold of one or both ends and turning them:she twisted her handkerchief into a knot
[with object and adverbial] turn or bend into a specified position or in a specified direction:he grabbed the man and twisted his arm behind his back
(twist something off) remove something by pulling and rotating it:beetroot can be stored once the leaves have been twisted off
[no object] move one’s body so that the shoulders and hips are facing in different directions:she twisted in her seat to look at the buildings
[no object, with adverbial] move in a wriggling or writhing fashion:he twisted himself free
injure (a joint) by wrenching it:he twisted his ankle trying to avoid his opponent’s lunge
distort or misrepresent the meaning of (words):he twisted my words to make it seem that I’d claimed she was a drug addict
2cause to rotate around a stationary point; turn:she twisted her ring round and round on her finger
[with object and adverbial] wind around or through something:she twisted a lock of hair around her finger
move or cause to move around each other; interlace: [with object]:she twisted her hands together nervouslythe machine twists together strands to make a double yarn
make (something) by interlacing or winding strands together:he could twist a rope strong enough to hold a mule
[no object] take or have a winding course:the railway lines twist and turn round the hills
3 [no object] dance the twist.
4British informal cheat; defraud.
5 [no object] (in pontoon) request, deal, or be dealt a card face upwards.
round the twist
British informal out of one’s mind; crazy:the games she plays drive me round the twist
twist someone's arm
informal pressurize someone into doing something that they are reluctant to do:I’ve twisted his arm and he’ll get you some tickets
twist in the wind
be left in a state of suspense or uncertainty:rather than giving clear public guidance, politicians let NATO commanders twist in the wind
