To wind (e.g., a watch or spring); to turn a screw/wind-up mechanism to make it operate.
古い腕時計のねじを巻くと、また時を刻み始めた。
When I wound the screw of the old watch, it began to keep time again.
毎朝ラジオのねじを巻いて音量を調整した時代があった。
There was a time when people wound up radios every morning and adjusted the volume.
おもちゃのねじを巻くと、車が走り出した。
When I wound the toy's spring, the car started running.
Idiomatic: to prod or spur someone on; to make someone shape up or work harder (often by strict encouragement or pressure).
締め切り前に上司がチームのねじを巻いて、作業を進めさせた。
Before the deadline the boss spurred the team on and got the work moving.
試験前は親にねじを巻かれて、毎晩遅くまで勉強した。
Before exams my parents pushed me, and I studied late every night.
彼女はコーチにねじを巻かれて、走り方を直された。
Her coach prodded her and corrected her running form.