The phrase "screw up the eyes" generally refers to the action of narrowing or squinting one's eyes intentionally or reflexively. This expression is often used to describe a facial expression someone adopts to gain clarity or focus, especially when trying to see something more clearly or shield their eyes from intense light or strong rays.
When someone screws up their eyes, they typically bring their eyelids closer together, creating a smaller opening for viewing. This action can help to eliminate any excess light or create a sharper image by reducing the amount of light entering the eye, thereby enhancing visual acuity. People may resort to screwing up their eyes when trying to read something small or distant, decipher fine details, or reduce glare.
The term is frequently used metaphorically to indicate someone's concentration or deep thought. It implies intense focus on a particular subject, task, or problem, intensifying one's mental attention or attentiveness to detail, similar to narrowing one's vision to better perceive things. Additionally, it can imply skepticism or suspicion, suggesting that the person is scrutinizing or evaluating something closely.
Overall, "screw up the eyes" describes a bodily gesture or facial expression where one deliberately or instinctively squints their eyes to narrow their field of vision, accentuate focus, mitigate glare, or express intense concentration or doubt.
