turning the wrong way; reverse twist
Refers to twisting or turning something in the opposite direction from what is intended, often causing damage or malfunction. Can be literal (screws, threads) or figurative.
Turning a screw the wrong way can break it.
Figurative use: a sharp reply that turns someone's words or actions back on them, often in an argument or debate.
彼のアドバイスはいつも逆ねじで、かえって混乱する。
His advice always backfires and ends up causing more confusion.
Her retort left him speechless.
Standard spelling using ねじ for 'screw', clear and common.
Kanji 捩 is rare and may not display correctly on all devices; 逆ねじ is preferred.
Irregular okurigana usage; 捻 is not standard for this word.
Compound of 逆 (reverse) and ねじ (screw, twist). The figurative sense likely derives from the idea of twisting someone's words back on them.