turn
♦♦♦ turn /t'ɜːrn/ (turns turning turned)
Turn is used in a large number of other expressions which are explained under other words in the dictionary. For example, the expression `turn over a new leaf' is explained at leaf.
1 [VERB] V, V prep/adv, V n adv/prep
When you turn or when you turn part of your body, you move your body or part of your body so that it is facing in a different or opposite direction.
He turned abruptly and walked away...
He sighed, turning away and surveying the sea...
He turned his head left and right...
[PHRASAL VERB] V P, V n P
Turn around or turn round means the same as turn.
I felt a tapping on my shoulder and I turned around...
Turn your upper body round so that your shoulders are facing to the side.
2 [VERB] V n prep/adv, V n to-inf, V-ed
When you turn something, you move it so that it is facing in a different or opposite direction, or is in a very different position.
They turned their telescopes towards other nearby galaxies...
She had turned the bedside chair to face the door...
The lid, turned upside down, served as a coffee table.
3 [VERB] V, V n
When something such as a wheel turns, or when you turn it, it continually moves around in a particular direction.
As the wheel turned, the potter shaped the clay...
The engine turned a propeller.
4 [VERB] V n, V n prep/adv, V
When you turn something such as a key, knob, or switch, or when it turns, you hold it and twist your hand, in order to open something or make it start working.
Turn a special key, press the brake pedal, and your car's brakes lock...
Turn the heat to very low and cook for 20 minutes...
I tried the doorknob and it turned.
5 [VERB] V prep/adv, V n
When you turn in a particular direction or turn a corner, you change the direction in which you are moving or travelling.
Now turn right to follow West Ferry Road...
The man with the umbrella turned the corner again.
[N-COUNT]
Turn is also a noun.
You can't do a right-hand turn here.
6 [VERB] V prep/adv, also V
The point where a road, path, or river turns, is the point where it has a bend or curve in it.
...the corner where Tenterfield Road turned into the main road.
[N-COUNT]
Turn is also a noun.
...a sharp turn in the road.
7 [VERB] V
When the tide turns, it starts coming in or going out.
There was not much time before the tide turned.
8 [VERB] V n
When you turn a page of a book or magazine, you move it so that is flat against the previous page, and you can read the next page.
He turned the pages of a file in front of him.
9 [VERB] V n on n, V n on n
If you turn a weapon or an aggressive feeling on someone, you point it at them or direct it at them.
He tried to turn the gun on me...
The crowd than turned their anger on Prime Minister James Mitchell.
10 [VERB] V to n
If you turn to a particular page in a book or magazine, you open it at that page.
To order, turn to page 236.
11 [VERB] V n to n, V to n
If you turn your attention or thoughts to a particular subject or if you turn to it, you start thinking about it or discussing it.
We turned our attention to the practical matters relating to forming a company...
We turn now to the British news.
12 [VERB] V to n
If you turn to someone, you ask for their help or advice.
For assistance, they turned to one of the city's most innovative museums...
13 [VERB] V to/from n/-ing
If you turn to a particular activity, job, or way of doing something, you start doing or using it.
These communities are now turning to recycling in large numbers...
14 [VERB] V into/to n, V n into/to n
To turn or be turned into something means to become that thing.
A prince turns into a frog in this cartoon fairytale...
The hated dictator had turned his country into one of the poorest police states in Europe...
15 [V-LINK] V adj
You can use turn before an adjective to indicate that something or someone changes by acquiring the quality described by the adjective.
If the bailiff thinks that things could turn nasty he will enlist the help of the police...
= become
16 [V-LINK] V colour, V n colour
If something turns a particular colour or if something turns it a particular colour, it becomes that colour.
The sea would turn pale pink and the sky blood red...
Her contact lenses turned her eyes green.
17 [V-LINK] V adj
You can use turn to indicate that there is a change to a particular kind of weather. For example, if it turns cold, the weather starts being cold.
If it turns cold, cover plants...
18 [N-COUNT] with supp, oft N in n
If a situation or trend takes a particular kind of turn, it changes so that it starts developing in a different or opposite way.
The scandal took a new turn over the weekend.
19 [VERB] no passive, V n
If a business turns a profit, it earns more money than it spends. (AM BUSINESS; in BRIT, use make, return)
The firm will be able to service debt and still turn a modest profit...
20 [VERB] V n
When someone turns a particular age, they pass that age. When it turns a particular time, it passes that time.
It was his ambition to accumulate a million dollars before he turned thirty...
21 [N-SING] the N of n
Turn is used in expressions such as the turn of the century and the turn of the year to refer to a period of time when one century or year is ending and the next one is beginning.
They fled to South America around the turn of the century.
22 [VERB] V n
When someone turns a wooden or metal object that they are making, they shape it using a special tool.
...the joys of making a living from turning wood.
23 [N-COUNT] usu with poss, oft N to-inf, N at -ing, N -ing
If it is your turn to do something, you now have the duty, chance, or right to do it, when other people have done it before you or will do it after you.
Tonight it's my turn to cook...
Let each child have a turn at fishing...
24 [N-COUNT]
If you say that someone is having a turn, you mean they feel suddenly very unwell for a short period of time. (BRIT INFORMAL)
25
see also turning
26 [PHRASE] PHR with group, PHR with v
You can use by turns to indicate that someone has two particular emotions or qualities, one after the other.
His tone was by turns angry and aggrieved.
27 [PHRASE]
If there is a particular turn of events, a particular series of things happen.
They were horrified at this unexpected turn of events.
28 [PHRASE] PHR after v, PHR with cl
If you say that something happens at every turn, you are emphasizing that it happens frequently or all the time, usually so that it prevents you from achieving what you want.
Its operations were hampered at every turn by inadequate numbers of trained staff...
29 [PHRASE] usu PHR after v
If you do someone a good turn, you do something that helps or benefits them.
He did you a good turn by resigning...
30 [PHRASE] V inflects
If someone turns a place inside out or upside down, they search it very thoroughly and usually make it very untidy.
They hadn't found a scrap of evidence though they had turned his flat inside out.
31 [PHRASE] V inflects
If something such as a system or way of life is turned inside out or upside down, it is changed completely, making people confused or upset.
He felt too shocked to move. His world had been turned upside down.
32 [PHRASE] PHR with cl/group
You use in turn to refer to actions or events that are in a sequence one after the other, for example because one causes the other.
One of the members of the surgical team leaked the story to a fellow physician who, in turn, confided in a reporter.
33 [PHRASE] PHR after v
If each person in a group does something in turn, they do it one after the other in a fixed or agreed order.
There were cheers for each of the women as they spoke in turn.
34 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you speak out of turn or talk out of turn, you say something that you do not have the right or authority to say.
I hope I haven't spoken out of turn.
35 [PHRASE] V inflects, oft PHR to-inf
If two or more people take turns to do something, or in British English take it in turns to do something, they do it one after the other several times, rather than doing it together.
We took turns to drive the car...
36 [PHRASE] V inflects
If a situation takes a turn for the worse, it suddenly becomes worse. If a situation takes a turn for the better, it suddenly becomes better.
Her condition took a sharp turn for the worse.star turn (star turns)
[N-COUNT] usu the N in sing
The star turn of a performance or show is the main item, or the one that is considered to be the most interesting or exciting. (mainly BRIT)three-point turn (three-point turns)
[N-COUNT]
When the driver of a vehicle does a three-point turn, he or she turns the vehicle by driving forwards in a curve, then backwards in a curve, and then forwards in a curve.turn against
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n, V n P n
If you turn against someone or something, or if you are turned against them, you stop supporting them, trusting them, or liking them.
A kid I used to be friends with turned against me after being told that I'd been insulting him...
Working with the police has turned me against the use of violent scenes as entertainment.turn around
or turn round
1
see turn 1
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron), V P
If you turn something around, or if it turns around, it is moved so that it faces the opposite direction.
Bud turned the truck around, and started back for Dalton Pond...
He had reached over to turn round a bottle of champagne so that the label didn't show...
There was enough room for a wheelchair to get in but not to turn round.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron), V P
If something such as a business or economy turns around, or if someone turns it around, it becomes successful, after being unsuccessful for a period of time. (BUSINESS)
Turning the company around won't be easy...
In his long career at BP, Horton turned around two entire divisions...
If the economy turned round the Prime Minister's authority would quickly increase.
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V P and v
If you say that someone turns around and says something, you are indicating that they say it unexpectedly or angrily, especially in order to criticize another person or to defend themselves. (INFORMAL)
I feel that if I say how tired I get, David will turn around and say, `I told you so'.
5 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
If you turn around a question, sentence, or idea, you change the way in which it is expressed, in order to consider it differently.
Now turn the question around and start looking not for what you did wrong in the past, but for what you can do to make things better in the future...
It's an example of how you can turn around the sentence and create a whole new meaning.
6
see also turnaroundturn away
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
If you turn someone away, you do not allow them to enter your country, home, or other place.
Turning refugees away would be an inhumane action...
Hard times are forcing community colleges to turn away students.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P from n
To turn away from something such as a method or an idea means to stop using it or to become different from it.
Japanese corporations have been turning away from production and have diverted into finance and real estate...turn back
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P prep/adv, V P, V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you turn back or if someone turns you back when you are going somewhere, you change direction and go towards where you started from.
She turned back towards the crossroads...
They were very nearly forced to turn back...
Police attempted to turn back protesters marching towards the offices of President Ershad.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] with brd-neg, V P
If you cannot turn back, you cannot change your plans and decide not to do something, because the action you have already taken makes it impossible.
The administration has now endorsed the bill and can't turn back.turn down
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
If you turn down a person or their request or offer, you refuse their request or offer.
Before this I'd have smiled and turned her down...
Would you turn down $7,000,000 to appear nude in a magazine?
= reject
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
When you turn down a radio, heater, or other piece of equipment, you reduce the amount of sound or heat being produced, by adjusting the controls.
He kept turning the central heating down...
She could not bear the relentless music and turned down the volume.
≠ turn upturn in
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
When you turn in, you go to bed. (INFORMAL)
Would you like some tea before you turn in?
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P to n, V n P, V P n (not pron), also V P n (not pron) to n
If you turn someone in, you take them to the police or tell the police where they are because they are suspected of committing a crime. If you turn yourself in, you go to the police because you have been involved in a crime.
He has been given until noon today to turn himself in to authorities...
There would be strong incentives to turn someone in...
I might today hesitate to turn in a burglar.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
When you turn in a completed piece of work, especially written work, you give it to the person who asked you to do it.
Now we wait for them to turn in their essays...
I want everybody to turn a report in.
= hand in
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If you turn something in, you return it to the place or person you borrowed it from. (mainly AM)
I went back to the station-house to turn in my badge and gun...
= returnturn off
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V P
If you turn off the road or path you are going along, you start going along a different road or path which leads away from it.
The truck turned off the main road along the gravelly track which led to the farm...
He turned off only to find he was trapped in a town square with no easy exit.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
When you turn off a piece of equipment or a supply of something, you stop heat, sound, or water being produced by adjusting the controls.
The light's a bit too harsh. You can turn it off...
I have to get up and turn off the radio...
= switch off
≠ turn on
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P n, V n P, also V P n (not pron)
If something turns you off a particular subject or activity, it makes you have no interest in it.
What turns teenagers off science and technology?...
Teaching off a blackboard is boring, and undoubtedly turns people off.
see also turn-off
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, also V P n (not pron)
If something or someone turns you off, you do not find them sexually attractive or they stop you feeling sexually excited. (INFORMAL)
Aggressive men turn me off completely.
see also turn-off
≠ turn onturn on
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
When you turn on a piece of equipment or a supply of something, you cause heat, sound, or water to be produced by adjusting the controls.
I want to turn on the television...
She asked them why they hadn't turned the lights on.
= switch on
≠ turn off
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P
If someone or something turns you on, they attract you and make you feel sexually excited. (INFORMAL)
The body that turns men on doesn't have to be perfect.
see also turn-on
≠ turn off
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you say that someone turns on a particular way of behaving, you mean that they suddenly start behaving in that way, and you are often also suggesting that this is insincere. (INFORMAL)
He could also turn on the style when the occasion demanded.
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If someone turns on you, they attack you or speak angrily to you.
Demonstrators turned on police, overturning vehicles and setting fire to them...
5 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If something turns on a particular thing, its success or truth depends on that thing.
The plot turns on whether Ilsa will choose her lover or her husband.
= hinge onturn out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P prep, V P n, V P adj
If something turns out a particular way, it happens in that way or has the result or degree of success indicated.
If I had known my life was going to turn out like this, I would have let them kill me...
Sometimes things don't turn out the way we think they're going to...
I was positive things were going to turn out fine.
= work out
2 [PHRASAL VERB] it V P adj
When you are commenting on pleasant weather, you can say that is has turned out nice or fine, especially if this is unexpected. (BRIT SPOKEN)
It's turned out nice again.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P to-inf, it V-ed P that
If something turns out to be a particular thing, it is discovered to be that thing.
Cosgrave's forecast turned out to be quite wrong...
It turned out that I knew the person who got shot.
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, also V P n (not pron)
When you turn out something such as a light or gas, you move the switch or knob that controls it so that it stops giving out light or heat.
I'll just play until the janitor comes round to turn the lights out.
= turn off
5 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If a business or other organization turns out something, it produces it.
They have been turning out great blades for 400 years.
6 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P of/from n, V n P, also V P n (not pron)
If you turn someone out of a place, especially the place where they have been living, you force them to leave that place.
Surely nobody would suggest turning him out of the house...
It was previously a small monastery but the authorities turned all the monks out.
= throw out
7 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P of/from n, also V n P
If you turn out the contents of a container, you empty it by removing them or letting them fall out.
Turn out the dough on to a floured surface...
Turn the plants out of their pots.
8 [PHRASAL VERB] V P for n, V P
If people turn out for a particular event or activity, they go and take part in it or watch it.
Thousands of people turned out for the funeral...
It was no wonder the fans turned out. The matches yielded 259 goals.
9
see also turnout, turned outturn over
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron), V P
If you turn something over, or if it turns over, it is moved so that the top part is now facing downwards.
Liz picked up the blue envelope and turned it over curiously...
I don't suppose you thought to turn over the tape, did you?...
The buggy turned over and Nancy was thrown out.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If you turn over, for example when you are lying in bed, you move your body so that you are lying in a different position.
Ann turned over in her bed once more.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P in n
If you turn something over in your mind, you think carefully about it.
Even when she didn't say anything you could see her turning things over in her mind.
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P (not pron) to n, V P n (not pron)
If you turn something over to someone, you give it to them when they ask for it, because they have a right to it.
I would, indeed, turn the evidence over to the police...
The lawyer turned over the release papers.
= hand over
5 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron) to n
If you turn over a job or responsibility that you have, you give it to someone else, so that you no longer have it.
The King may turn over some of his official posts to his son...
6 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If you turn over when you are watching television, you change to another channel.
Whenever he's on TV, I turn over.
7
see also turnoverturn over to
[PHRASAL VERB] V n P P n, also V P n (not pron) P n
If you turn something over to a different function or use, you change its function or use.
When he first leased the land in the late 1970s, he planned to turn it over to cereal production.turn round
see turn aroundturn sig|nal (turn signals)
[N-COUNT]
A car's turn signals are the flashing lights that tell you it is going to turn left or right. (AM; in BRIT, use indicators)turn up
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If you say that someone or something turns up, you mean that they arrive, often unexpectedly or after you have been waiting a long time.
Richard had turned up on Christmas Eve with Tony...
= show up
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V P
If you turn something up or if it turns up, you find, discover, or notice it.
Investigations have never turned up any evidence.
...a very rare 15th-Century spoon, which turned up in an old house in Devon.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P, V n P adj
When you turn up a radio, heater, or other piece of equipment, you increase the amount of sound, heat, or power being produced, by adjusting the controls.
Bill would turn up the TV in the other room...
I turned the volume up...
Turn the heat up high.
≠ turn down
Turn is used in a large number of other expressions which are explained under other words in the dictionary. For example, the expression `turn over a new leaf' is explained at leaf.
1 [VERB] V, V prep/adv, V n adv/prep
When you turn or when you turn part of your body, you move your body or part of your body so that it is facing in a different or opposite direction.
He turned abruptly and walked away...
He sighed, turning away and surveying the sea...
He turned his head left and right...
[PHRASAL VERB] V P, V n P
Turn around or turn round means the same as turn.
I felt a tapping on my shoulder and I turned around...
Turn your upper body round so that your shoulders are facing to the side.
2 [VERB] V n prep/adv, V n to-inf, V-ed
When you turn something, you move it so that it is facing in a different or opposite direction, or is in a very different position.
They turned their telescopes towards other nearby galaxies...
She had turned the bedside chair to face the door...
The lid, turned upside down, served as a coffee table.
3 [VERB] V, V n
When something such as a wheel turns, or when you turn it, it continually moves around in a particular direction.
As the wheel turned, the potter shaped the clay...
The engine turned a propeller.
4 [VERB] V n, V n prep/adv, V
When you turn something such as a key, knob, or switch, or when it turns, you hold it and twist your hand, in order to open something or make it start working.
Turn a special key, press the brake pedal, and your car's brakes lock...
Turn the heat to very low and cook for 20 minutes...
I tried the doorknob and it turned.
5 [VERB] V prep/adv, V n
When you turn in a particular direction or turn a corner, you change the direction in which you are moving or travelling.
Now turn right to follow West Ferry Road...
The man with the umbrella turned the corner again.
[N-COUNT]
Turn is also a noun.
You can't do a right-hand turn here.
6 [VERB] V prep/adv, also V
The point where a road, path, or river turns, is the point where it has a bend or curve in it.
...the corner where Tenterfield Road turned into the main road.
[N-COUNT]
Turn is also a noun.
...a sharp turn in the road.
7 [VERB] V
When the tide turns, it starts coming in or going out.
There was not much time before the tide turned.
8 [VERB] V n
When you turn a page of a book or magazine, you move it so that is flat against the previous page, and you can read the next page.
He turned the pages of a file in front of him.
9 [VERB] V n on n, V n on n
If you turn a weapon or an aggressive feeling on someone, you point it at them or direct it at them.
He tried to turn the gun on me...
The crowd than turned their anger on Prime Minister James Mitchell.
10 [VERB] V to n
If you turn to a particular page in a book or magazine, you open it at that page.
To order, turn to page 236.
11 [VERB] V n to n, V to n
If you turn your attention or thoughts to a particular subject or if you turn to it, you start thinking about it or discussing it.
We turned our attention to the practical matters relating to forming a company...
We turn now to the British news.
12 [VERB] V to n
If you turn to someone, you ask for their help or advice.
For assistance, they turned to one of the city's most innovative museums...
13 [VERB] V to/from n/-ing
If you turn to a particular activity, job, or way of doing something, you start doing or using it.
These communities are now turning to recycling in large numbers...
14 [VERB] V into/to n, V n into/to n
To turn or be turned into something means to become that thing.
A prince turns into a frog in this cartoon fairytale...
The hated dictator had turned his country into one of the poorest police states in Europe...
15 [V-LINK] V adj
You can use turn before an adjective to indicate that something or someone changes by acquiring the quality described by the adjective.
If the bailiff thinks that things could turn nasty he will enlist the help of the police...
= become
16 [V-LINK] V colour, V n colour
If something turns a particular colour or if something turns it a particular colour, it becomes that colour.
The sea would turn pale pink and the sky blood red...
Her contact lenses turned her eyes green.
17 [V-LINK] V adj
You can use turn to indicate that there is a change to a particular kind of weather. For example, if it turns cold, the weather starts being cold.
If it turns cold, cover plants...
18 [N-COUNT] with supp, oft N in n
If a situation or trend takes a particular kind of turn, it changes so that it starts developing in a different or opposite way.
The scandal took a new turn over the weekend.
19 [VERB] no passive, V n
If a business turns a profit, it earns more money than it spends. (AM BUSINESS; in BRIT, use make, return)
The firm will be able to service debt and still turn a modest profit...
20 [VERB] V n
When someone turns a particular age, they pass that age. When it turns a particular time, it passes that time.
It was his ambition to accumulate a million dollars before he turned thirty...
21 [N-SING] the N of n
Turn is used in expressions such as the turn of the century and the turn of the year to refer to a period of time when one century or year is ending and the next one is beginning.
They fled to South America around the turn of the century.
22 [VERB] V n
When someone turns a wooden or metal object that they are making, they shape it using a special tool.
...the joys of making a living from turning wood.
23 [N-COUNT] usu with poss, oft N to-inf, N at -ing, N -ing
If it is your turn to do something, you now have the duty, chance, or right to do it, when other people have done it before you or will do it after you.
Tonight it's my turn to cook...
Let each child have a turn at fishing...
24 [N-COUNT]
If you say that someone is having a turn, you mean they feel suddenly very unwell for a short period of time. (BRIT INFORMAL)
25
see also turning
26 [PHRASE] PHR with group, PHR with v
You can use by turns to indicate that someone has two particular emotions or qualities, one after the other.
His tone was by turns angry and aggrieved.
27 [PHRASE]
If there is a particular turn of events, a particular series of things happen.
They were horrified at this unexpected turn of events.
28 [PHRASE] PHR after v, PHR with cl
If you say that something happens at every turn, you are emphasizing that it happens frequently or all the time, usually so that it prevents you from achieving what you want.
Its operations were hampered at every turn by inadequate numbers of trained staff...
29 [PHRASE] usu PHR after v
If you do someone a good turn, you do something that helps or benefits them.
He did you a good turn by resigning...
30 [PHRASE] V inflects
If someone turns a place inside out or upside down, they search it very thoroughly and usually make it very untidy.
They hadn't found a scrap of evidence though they had turned his flat inside out.
31 [PHRASE] V inflects
If something such as a system or way of life is turned inside out or upside down, it is changed completely, making people confused or upset.
He felt too shocked to move. His world had been turned upside down.
32 [PHRASE] PHR with cl/group
You use in turn to refer to actions or events that are in a sequence one after the other, for example because one causes the other.
One of the members of the surgical team leaked the story to a fellow physician who, in turn, confided in a reporter.
33 [PHRASE] PHR after v
If each person in a group does something in turn, they do it one after the other in a fixed or agreed order.
There were cheers for each of the women as they spoke in turn.
34 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you speak out of turn or talk out of turn, you say something that you do not have the right or authority to say.
I hope I haven't spoken out of turn.
35 [PHRASE] V inflects, oft PHR to-inf
If two or more people take turns to do something, or in British English take it in turns to do something, they do it one after the other several times, rather than doing it together.
We took turns to drive the car...
36 [PHRASE] V inflects
If a situation takes a turn for the worse, it suddenly becomes worse. If a situation takes a turn for the better, it suddenly becomes better.
Her condition took a sharp turn for the worse.star turn (star turns)
[N-COUNT] usu the N in sing
The star turn of a performance or show is the main item, or the one that is considered to be the most interesting or exciting. (mainly BRIT)three-point turn (three-point turns)
[N-COUNT]
When the driver of a vehicle does a three-point turn, he or she turns the vehicle by driving forwards in a curve, then backwards in a curve, and then forwards in a curve.turn against
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n, V n P n
If you turn against someone or something, or if you are turned against them, you stop supporting them, trusting them, or liking them.
A kid I used to be friends with turned against me after being told that I'd been insulting him...
Working with the police has turned me against the use of violent scenes as entertainment.turn around
or turn round
1
see turn 1
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron), V P
If you turn something around, or if it turns around, it is moved so that it faces the opposite direction.
Bud turned the truck around, and started back for Dalton Pond...
He had reached over to turn round a bottle of champagne so that the label didn't show...
There was enough room for a wheelchair to get in but not to turn round.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron), V P
If something such as a business or economy turns around, or if someone turns it around, it becomes successful, after being unsuccessful for a period of time. (BUSINESS)
Turning the company around won't be easy...
In his long career at BP, Horton turned around two entire divisions...
If the economy turned round the Prime Minister's authority would quickly increase.
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V P and v
If you say that someone turns around and says something, you are indicating that they say it unexpectedly or angrily, especially in order to criticize another person or to defend themselves. (INFORMAL)
I feel that if I say how tired I get, David will turn around and say, `I told you so'.
5 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
If you turn around a question, sentence, or idea, you change the way in which it is expressed, in order to consider it differently.
Now turn the question around and start looking not for what you did wrong in the past, but for what you can do to make things better in the future...
It's an example of how you can turn around the sentence and create a whole new meaning.
6
see also turnaroundturn away
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
If you turn someone away, you do not allow them to enter your country, home, or other place.
Turning refugees away would be an inhumane action...
Hard times are forcing community colleges to turn away students.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P from n
To turn away from something such as a method or an idea means to stop using it or to become different from it.
Japanese corporations have been turning away from production and have diverted into finance and real estate...turn back
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P prep/adv, V P, V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you turn back or if someone turns you back when you are going somewhere, you change direction and go towards where you started from.
She turned back towards the crossroads...
They were very nearly forced to turn back...
Police attempted to turn back protesters marching towards the offices of President Ershad.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] with brd-neg, V P
If you cannot turn back, you cannot change your plans and decide not to do something, because the action you have already taken makes it impossible.
The administration has now endorsed the bill and can't turn back.turn down
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
If you turn down a person or their request or offer, you refuse their request or offer.
Before this I'd have smiled and turned her down...
Would you turn down $7,000,000 to appear nude in a magazine?
= reject
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
When you turn down a radio, heater, or other piece of equipment, you reduce the amount of sound or heat being produced, by adjusting the controls.
He kept turning the central heating down...
She could not bear the relentless music and turned down the volume.
≠ turn upturn in
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
When you turn in, you go to bed. (INFORMAL)
Would you like some tea before you turn in?
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P to n, V n P, V P n (not pron), also V P n (not pron) to n
If you turn someone in, you take them to the police or tell the police where they are because they are suspected of committing a crime. If you turn yourself in, you go to the police because you have been involved in a crime.
He has been given until noon today to turn himself in to authorities...
There would be strong incentives to turn someone in...
I might today hesitate to turn in a burglar.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
When you turn in a completed piece of work, especially written work, you give it to the person who asked you to do it.
Now we wait for them to turn in their essays...
I want everybody to turn a report in.
= hand in
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If you turn something in, you return it to the place or person you borrowed it from. (mainly AM)
I went back to the station-house to turn in my badge and gun...
= returnturn off
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V P
If you turn off the road or path you are going along, you start going along a different road or path which leads away from it.
The truck turned off the main road along the gravelly track which led to the farm...
He turned off only to find he was trapped in a town square with no easy exit.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
When you turn off a piece of equipment or a supply of something, you stop heat, sound, or water being produced by adjusting the controls.
The light's a bit too harsh. You can turn it off...
I have to get up and turn off the radio...
= switch off
≠ turn on
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P n, V n P, also V P n (not pron)
If something turns you off a particular subject or activity, it makes you have no interest in it.
What turns teenagers off science and technology?...
Teaching off a blackboard is boring, and undoubtedly turns people off.
see also turn-off
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, also V P n (not pron)
If something or someone turns you off, you do not find them sexually attractive or they stop you feeling sexually excited. (INFORMAL)
Aggressive men turn me off completely.
see also turn-off
≠ turn onturn on
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
When you turn on a piece of equipment or a supply of something, you cause heat, sound, or water to be produced by adjusting the controls.
I want to turn on the television...
She asked them why they hadn't turned the lights on.
= switch on
≠ turn off
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P
If someone or something turns you on, they attract you and make you feel sexually excited. (INFORMAL)
The body that turns men on doesn't have to be perfect.
see also turn-on
≠ turn off
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you say that someone turns on a particular way of behaving, you mean that they suddenly start behaving in that way, and you are often also suggesting that this is insincere. (INFORMAL)
He could also turn on the style when the occasion demanded.
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If someone turns on you, they attack you or speak angrily to you.
Demonstrators turned on police, overturning vehicles and setting fire to them...
5 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If something turns on a particular thing, its success or truth depends on that thing.
The plot turns on whether Ilsa will choose her lover or her husband.
= hinge onturn out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P prep, V P n, V P adj
If something turns out a particular way, it happens in that way or has the result or degree of success indicated.
If I had known my life was going to turn out like this, I would have let them kill me...
Sometimes things don't turn out the way we think they're going to...
I was positive things were going to turn out fine.
= work out
2 [PHRASAL VERB] it V P adj
When you are commenting on pleasant weather, you can say that is has turned out nice or fine, especially if this is unexpected. (BRIT SPOKEN)
It's turned out nice again.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P to-inf, it V-ed P that
If something turns out to be a particular thing, it is discovered to be that thing.
Cosgrave's forecast turned out to be quite wrong...
It turned out that I knew the person who got shot.
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, also V P n (not pron)
When you turn out something such as a light or gas, you move the switch or knob that controls it so that it stops giving out light or heat.
I'll just play until the janitor comes round to turn the lights out.
= turn off
5 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If a business or other organization turns out something, it produces it.
They have been turning out great blades for 400 years.
6 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P of/from n, V n P, also V P n (not pron)
If you turn someone out of a place, especially the place where they have been living, you force them to leave that place.
Surely nobody would suggest turning him out of the house...
It was previously a small monastery but the authorities turned all the monks out.
= throw out
7 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P of/from n, also V n P
If you turn out the contents of a container, you empty it by removing them or letting them fall out.
Turn out the dough on to a floured surface...
Turn the plants out of their pots.
8 [PHRASAL VERB] V P for n, V P
If people turn out for a particular event or activity, they go and take part in it or watch it.
Thousands of people turned out for the funeral...
It was no wonder the fans turned out. The matches yielded 259 goals.
9
see also turnout, turned outturn over
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron), V P
If you turn something over, or if it turns over, it is moved so that the top part is now facing downwards.
Liz picked up the blue envelope and turned it over curiously...
I don't suppose you thought to turn over the tape, did you?...
The buggy turned over and Nancy was thrown out.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If you turn over, for example when you are lying in bed, you move your body so that you are lying in a different position.
Ann turned over in her bed once more.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P in n
If you turn something over in your mind, you think carefully about it.
Even when she didn't say anything you could see her turning things over in her mind.
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P (not pron) to n, V P n (not pron)
If you turn something over to someone, you give it to them when they ask for it, because they have a right to it.
I would, indeed, turn the evidence over to the police...
The lawyer turned over the release papers.
= hand over
5 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron) to n
If you turn over a job or responsibility that you have, you give it to someone else, so that you no longer have it.
The King may turn over some of his official posts to his son...
6 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If you turn over when you are watching television, you change to another channel.
Whenever he's on TV, I turn over.
7
see also turnoverturn over to
[PHRASAL VERB] V n P P n, also V P n (not pron) P n
If you turn something over to a different function or use, you change its function or use.
When he first leased the land in the late 1970s, he planned to turn it over to cereal production.turn round
see turn aroundturn sig|nal (turn signals)
[N-COUNT]
A car's turn signals are the flashing lights that tell you it is going to turn left or right. (AM; in BRIT, use indicators)turn up
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If you say that someone or something turns up, you mean that they arrive, often unexpectedly or after you have been waiting a long time.
Richard had turned up on Christmas Eve with Tony...
= show up
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V P
If you turn something up or if it turns up, you find, discover, or notice it.
Investigations have never turned up any evidence.
...a very rare 15th-Century spoon, which turned up in an old house in Devon.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P, V n P adj
When you turn up a radio, heater, or other piece of equipment, you increase the amount of sound, heat, or power being produced, by adjusting the controls.
Bill would turn up the TV in the other room...
I turned the volume up...
Turn the heat up high.
≠ turn down