Meaning of turn in the LingoTies English Dictionary

turn [verb]

To (cause to) move in a circle round a fixed point or line

/tɝːn/

/tɜːn/

چرخیدن

Example:

To turn the key in a lock

كليد را در قفل‌ چرخاندن

Oxford Essential Dictionary

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

turn

I. turn¹ S1 W1 /tɜːn $ tɜːrn/ BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: noun: ↑turn, ↑upturn, ↑turning; verb: ↑turn, ↑overturn; adjective: ↑upturned]
[Date: 1000-1100; Origin: Partly from Latin tornare 'to turn on a lathe', from turnus 'lathe', from Greek tornos; partly from Old French torner, tourner 'to turn', from Latin tornare]
1. YOUR BODY [intransitive and transitive] to move your body so that you are looking in a different direction ⇨ twist:
Ricky turned and walked away.
She turned her head in surprise.
turn around/round/away
Dan turned away, hiding the fear in his eyes.
turn (your head/face) to do something
He turned around to look at Kim.
‘No,’ she said, turning her head to see David’s reaction.
Brigitte glared at him, turned on her heel (=turned away suddenly because of anger), and stomped out of the room.
2. OBJECT [transitive usually + adverb/preposition] to move something so that it is pointing or aiming in a different direction
turn something around/over/upside down etc
You may turn over your exam papers now.
turn something on something/somebody
The firemen turned their hoses on the blaze.
turn something to face something/somebody
Could you turn your chairs to face this way?
turn a/the page (=move a page in a book over so that you can read the next page)
turn something down/up
He turned down the corner of the sheet to peep at the baby.
3. DIRECTION
a) [intransitive and transitive] to go in a new direction when you are walking, driving etc, or to make the vehicle you are using do this:
I watched until he turned the corner.
turn left/right
Turn left at the church.
turn into/onto/down etc
She cycled up the street and turned into Long Road.
Turning the car around, we headed home.
b) [intransitive] if a road, river etc turns, it curves and starts to go in a new direction:
Further on, the river turns east.
The road turns sharply at the top of the hill.
4. MOVE AROUND CENTRAL POINT [intransitive and transitive] to move around a central or fixed point, or to make something move in this way:
The wheels turned slowly, then picked up speed.
For some reason, the key wouldn’t turn.
turn the handle/knob/key/tap etc
She gently turned the handle of the bedroom door.
5. CHANGE [linking verb, transitive] to start to have a different quality, or to make something do this
turn (something) red/blue/white etc
Rose’s hair was already turning grey.
In October the leaves turn orange and yellow.
The sun had turned the sky a glowing pink.
the weather turns cold/nasty etc (also it turns cold/nasty etc)
Then it turned cold and started to rain.
turn nasty/mean/violent etc (=suddenly become angry, violent etc)
The police are worried that the situation could turn violent.
6. ATTENTION/THOUGHTS [intransitive and transitive] to start to think about, deal with, look at etc a particular person, thing, or subject, instead of what you were thinking about etc before
turn your attention/thoughts/efforts etc to something/somebody
Many investors have turned their attention to opportunities abroad.
Phil turned his gaze towards the older man.
turn to/towards etc something
As usual, the conversation turned back to her children.
Now is the time of year when thoughts turn in the direction of summer holidays.
Next the Senator turned to education.
7. turn your back (on somebody/something)
a) to refuse to help, support, or be involved with someone or something:
How can you turn your back on your own mother?
In his twenties he turned his back on his Catholic faith.
b) to turn so that your back is pointing towards someone or something, and you are not looking at them:
Angrily, she turned her back on him.
8. AGE/TIME [transitive] to become a particular age, or to reach a particular time
somebody turns 15/20/40 etc
My son’s just turned 18.
it’s turned 2 o'clock/5/midday etc
It’s just turned three.
9. turn something inside out
a) to pull a piece of clothing, bag etc so that the inside is facing out:
Turn the sweater inside out before you wash it.
b) (also turn something upside down) to search everywhere for something, in a way that makes a place very untidy:
Thieves had turned the house upside down.
c) (also turn something upside down/turn something on its head) to completely change the way that something is done, organized, thought about etc:
New approaches to marketing turn old practices upside down.
Her opinion of him had been turned on its head.
10. have turned the corner to start to improve after going through a difficult period or experience:
The manager of the hotel chain claims that they have turned the corner.
11. MAKE/LET GO OUT [transitive] to make or let someone or something go out from where they are
turn somebody/something out/outside/into etc (something)
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured board.
There are some criminals who cannot be turned loose onto the streets.
12. TIDE [intransitive] if the ↑tide turns, the sea starts to come in or go out again
13. CHANGE DEVELOPMENT [intransitive and transitive] if something such as a war, situation, game of sport etc turns, or someone turns it, something happens to change the way it is developing:
Mills turned the game by scoring twice.
The victory turned the tide of the war in North Africa.
14. turn traitor to be disloyal to a person, group, or idea that you have strongly supported before
15. turn your ankle to twist your ↑ankle in a way that injures it SYN sprain:
Wright turned his ankle in the first minutes of the game.
16. an actor turned politician/a housewife turned author etc someone who has done one job and then does something completely different ⇨ poacher turned gamekeeper at ↑poacher
17. turn sb’s head to be attractive in a romantic or sexual way:
She turned heads whenever she walked into a room.
18. turn (people’s) heads if something turns people’s heads, they are surprised by it:
It did turn some heads when he moved back to the village.
19. turn a profit American English to make a profit
20. turn a phrase to say something in a particular way:
Cohen knows how to turn a phrase in his lyrics.
21. LAND [transitive] to break up soil so that it is ready for growing crops:
a distant tractor turning the soil
22. WOOD/METAL [transitive] to shape a wooden or metal object using a special tool
23. MILK [intransitive] British English if milk turns, it becomes sour
⇨ turn a blind eye (to something) at ↑blind¹(3), ⇨ turn the other cheek at ↑cheek¹(4), ⇨ turn full circle at ↑circle¹(6), ⇨ somebody would turn in their grave at ↑grave¹(3), ⇨ not turn a hair at ↑hair(11), ⇨ turn your hand to (doing) something at ↑hand¹(26), ⇨ turn over a new leaf at ↑leaf¹(3), ⇨ turn your nose up (at something) at ↑nose¹(5), ⇨ turn your stomach at ↑stomach¹(4), ⇨ turn the tables (on somebody) at ↑table¹(5), ⇨ turn tail at ↑tail¹(9)
• • •
THESAURUS (for Meaning 4)
▪ turn to move around a central or fixed point: The wheels of the train began to turn.
▪ go around (also go round British English) to turn around a central point. Go around is a little more informal than turn and is very common in everyday English: When the fan goes around, the warm air is pushed back downwards.
▪ revolve/rotate to turn around and around a central point. Rotate and revolve are more formal than turn and sound more technical: The Earth rotates on its axis once every twenty-four hours. | The stage revolves at various points during the performance.
▪ spin to turn around many times very quickly: The ice skater began to spin faster and faster.
▪ whirl /wɜːl $ wɜːrl/ to spin around extremely quickly, often in a powerful or uncontrolled way: The blades of the helicopter whirled overhead.
▪ twirl (around) to spin around quickly, especially as part of a dance or performance: The couples were twirling around on the dance floor.
▪ swirl (around) to move around quickly in a circular movement, especially when the movement goes outwards or upwards from the center: Her white skirt swirled around her legs as she danced. | The leaves began to swirl around.
▪ spiral to move in a continuous curve that gets nearer to or further from its central point as it goes around: The smoke spiralled toward the ceiling.
turn (somebody) against somebody/something phrasal verb
to stop liking or supporting someone or something, or to make someone do this:
Many people had turned against the war.
Dave felt she was deliberately turning the kids against him.
turn around (also turn round British English) phrasal verb
1. if a business, department etc that is not successful turns around, or if someone turns it around, it starts to be successful:
The company turned around from losses of £1.4 million last year to profits of £26,800.
turn something ↔ around
At Rockwell International he had turned around a badly performing division. ⇨ ↑turnaround
2. if a situation, game etc turns around, or if someone turns it around, it changes and starts to develop in the way you want:
After I met him, my whole life turned around.
turn something ↔ around
Fender’s batting could turn matches around in half an hour.
3. turn around and say/do etc something spoken to say or do something that is unexpected or that seems unfair or unreasonable:
You can’t just turn around and say that it was all my fault.
4. turn something ↔ around to consider an idea, question etc in a different way, or change the words of something so that it has a different meaning:
Let’s turn the whole idea around and look at it from another angle.
5. turn something ↔ around to complete the process of making a product or providing a service:
We can turn around 500 units by next week.
6. every time somebody turns around spoken very often or all the time:
Every time I turn around he seems to be checking up on me.
turn away phrasal verb
1. turn somebody ↔ away to refuse to let someone enter a place or join an organization, for example because it is full:
The show was so popular police had to turn people away.
Thousands of applicants are turned away each year.
2. turn somebody ↔ away to refuse to give someone sympathy, help, or support:
Anyone who comes to us will not be turned away.
The insurance company has promised not to turn away its existing customers.
3. turn (somebody) away from somebody/something to stop supporting someone, or stop using or being interested in something, or to make someone do this:
Consumers are turning away from credit cards.
events that turned Henry away from his family
turn back phrasal verb
1. to go back in the direction you came from, or to make someone or something do this:
It’s getting late – maybe we should turn back.
turn somebody/something ↔ back
The UN convoy was turned back at the border.
2. to return to doing something in the way it was done before
turn back to
The people are turning back to natural resources to survive.
We’ve promised to help, and there’s no turning back (=you cannot change this)!
⇨ turn back the clock at ↑clock¹(3)
turn somebody/something ↔ down phrasal verb
1. to turn the switch on a machine such as an ↑oven, radio etc so that it produces less heat, sound etc OPP turn up:
Can you turn the TV down? I’m trying to work.
2. to refuse an offer, request, or invitation:
They offered her the job but she turned it down.
I’m not going to turn down an invitation to go to New York!
Josie’s already turned him down (=refused his offer of marriage).
turn in phrasal verb
1. turn something ↔ in to give something to a person in authority, especially an illegal weapon or something lost or stolen:
The rebels were told to turn in their weapons and ammunition.
turn something ↔ in to
My wallet was turned in to the police two days later.
2. turn something ↔ in American English to give back something you have borrowed or rented SYN return:
When do the library books have to be turned in?
3. turn in something to produce a particular profit, result etc:
Bimec turned in net profits of £2.4 million.
Last night the team turned in another dazzling performance.
4. turn somebody ↔ in to tell the police who or where a criminal is:
Margrove’s wife finally turned him in.
5. to go to bed:
I think I’ll turn in early tonight.
6. turn something ↔ in American English to give a piece of work you have done to a teacher, your employer etc SYN hand in British English:
Have you all turned in your homework assignments?
turn (somebody/something) into something phrasal verb
1. to become something different, or to make someone or something do this:
The sofa turns into a bed.
A few weeks later, winter had turned into spring.
Hollywood discovered her and turned her into a star.
2. to change by magic from one thing into another, or to make something do this:
In a flash, the prince turned into a frog.
The witch had turned them all into stone.
3. days turned into weeks/months turned into years etc used to say that time passed slowly while you waited for something to happen:
Weeks turned into months, and still there was no letter.
turn off phrasal verb
1. turn something ↔ off to make a machine or piece of electrical equipment such as a television, engine, light etc stop operating by pushing a button, turning a key etc SYN switch off OPP turn on:
Don’t forget to turn the lights off when you leave.
2. turn something ↔ off to stop the supply of water, gas etc from flowing by turning a handle OPP turn on:
They’ve turned the gas off for a couple of hours.
3. turn off (something) to leave the road you are travelling on and start travelling on another road
turn off (something) at/near etc
I think we should have turned off at the last exit.
turn off the road/motorway etc
Mark turned off the highway and into Provincetown. ⇨ ↑turn-off
4. turn somebody ↔ off to make someone decide they do not like something:
Any prospective buyer will be turned off by the sight of rotting wood. ⇨ ↑turn-off
5. turn somebody ↔ off to make someone feel that they are not attracted to you in a sexual way OPP turn on:
Men who stink of beer really turn me off. ⇨ ↑turn-off
turn on phrasal verb
1. turn something ↔ on to make a machine or piece of electrical equipment such as a television, engine, light etc start operating by pushing a button, turning a key etc SYN switch on OPP turn off:
Jake turned on his computer and checked his mail.
2. turn something ↔ on to make the supply of water, gas etc start flowing from something by turning a handle OPP turn off:
He turned on the gas and lit the stove.
‘I’m thirsty,’ she said, turning on the tap.
3. turn on somebody alsoturn upon somebody to suddenly attack someone, using physical violence or unpleasant words:
Peter turned on Rae and screamed, ‘Get out of my sight!’
4. turn on something alsoturn upon something if a situation, event, argument etc turns on a particular thing or idea, it depends on that thing:
As usual, everything turned on how much money was available.
5. turn somebody on to make someone feel sexually excited:
The way he looked at her really turned her on. ⇨ ↑turn-on
6. turn somebody on to interest someone, or to make someone become interested in something:
Science fiction just doesn’t turn me on.
turn somebody on to
It was Walter who turned me on to vegetarian food.
7. turn on the charm alsoturn it on to suddenly start to be very nice, amusing, and interesting, especially in a way that is not sincere:
Simon was good at turning on the charm at parties.
turn out phrasal verb
1. to happen in a particular way, or to have a particular result, especially one that you did not expect
turn out well/badly/fine etc
It was a difficult time, but eventually things turned out all right.
To my surprise, it turned out that I was wrong.
As it turned out (=used to say what happened in the end), he passed the exam quite easily.
turn out to be something
That guy turned out to be Maria’s second cousin.
2. turn the light out to stop the flow of electricity to a light by pressing a switch, pulling a string etc:
Don’t forget to turn out the lights when you go!
3. if a lot of people turn out for an event, they go to watch it or take part in it
turn out for
About 70% of the population turned out for the election.
turn out to do something
Thousands turned out to watch yesterday’s match against Ireland. ⇨ ↑turnout
4. turn somebody ↔ out to force someone to leave a place permanently, especially their home:
If you can’t pay the rent, they turn you out.
5. turn something ↔ out to produce or make something:
The factory turns out 300 units a day.
6. well/beautifully/badly etc turned out dressed in good, beautiful etc clothes:
elegantly turned-out young ladies
7. turn something ↔ out
a) to empty something completely by taking out the contents:
The policeman made him turn out his pockets.
b) British English to take out everything in a room, drawer etc and clean the room etc thoroughly:
Lea decided to turn out the attic.
turn over phrasal verb
1. turn something over to somebody to give someone the right to own something, or to make someone responsible for dealing with something:
He’ll turn the shop over to his son when he retires.
turn the matter/problem/responsibility etc over to somebody
I’m turning the project over to you.
2. turn something over to something to use land, a building etc for a different purpose:
There is a new plan to turn the land over to wind farming.
3. turn somebody over to somebody to take a criminal to the police or another official organization:
Suspected terrorists are immediately turned over to the law.
4. turn over something if a business turns over a particular amount of money, it earns that amount in a particular period of time:
Within ten years the theme park was turning over £20 million. ⇨ ↑turnover
5. if an engine turns over, or if someone turns it over, it starts to work:
The engine turned over twice and then stopped.
6. British English to turn a page in a book or a sheet of paper to the opposite side:
Turn over and look at the next page.
7. British English to change to another ↑channel on a television:
Can we turn over? There’s a film I want to see.
8. turn something over British English to search a place thoroughly or steal things from it, making it very untidy:
Burglars had been in and turned the whole house over.
⇨ turn over a new leaf at ↑leaf¹(3), ⇨ turn something over in your mind at ↑mind¹(17)
turn round phrasal verb British English
⇨ ↑turn around
turn to somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to try to get help, advice, or sympathy from someone:
I don’t know who to turn to.
The Namibian government turned to South Africa for help.
2. to start to do or use something new, especially as a way of solving a problem:
Many people here are turning to solar power.
turn to drink/crime/drugs etc
addicts who turn to crime to finance their habit
3. turn (something) to something to become a different quality, attitude, form of a substance etc, or to make something do this:
Our laughter turned to horror as we realized that Jody was really hurt.
When water turns to steam, it expands.
A sudden storm turned the earth to mud.
4. to look at a particular page in a book:
Turn to page 655 for more information.
turn up phrasal verb
1. turn something ↔ up to turn a switch on a machine such as an ↑oven, radio etc so that it produces more heat, sound etc OPP turn down:
Turn the oven up to 220.
Turn up the radio!
2. to be found, especially by chance, after having been lost or searched for:
Eventually my watch turned up in a coat pocket.
3. to arrive at a place, especially in a way that is unexpected:
You can’t just turn up and expect a meal.
turn up late/early/on time etc
Steve turned up late, as usual.
4. if an opportunity or situation turns up, it happens, especially when you are not expecting it:
Don’t worry, I’m sure a job will turn up soon.
5. turn something ↔ up to find something by searching for it thoroughly:
The police investigation hasn’t turned up any new evidence.
6. turn something ↔ up British English to shorten a skirt, trousers etc by folding up the bottom and sewing it
⇨ turn up trumps at ↑trump¹(4)
turn upon somebody/something phrasal verb formal
1. to suddenly attack someone, using physical violence or unpleasant words SYN turn on
2. if a situation, event, argument etc turns upon a particular thing or idea, it depends on that thing SYN turn on:
The court case turned upon a technicality of company law.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

turn

turn [turn turns turned turning] verb, noun [tɜːn] [tɜːrn]

verb

MOVE ROUND
1. intransitive, transitive to move or make sth move around a central point
• The wheels of the car began to turn.
• I can't get the screw to turn.
• ~ sth (+ adv./prep.) He turned the key in the lock.

• She turned the wheel sharply to the left.

CHANGE POSITION/DIRECTION

2. intransitive, transitive to move your body or part of your body so as to face or start moving in a different direction
• We turned and headed for home.
• She turned to look at me.
• + adv./prep. He turned back to his work.
• I turned away and looked out of the window.
• ~ sth (+ adv./prep.) He turned his back to the wall.
• She turned her head away.

see also turn over

3. transitive ~ sth + adv./prep. to move sth so that it is in a different position or facing a different direction
• She turned the chair on its side to repair it.
• Turn the sweater inside out before you wash it.

see also turn over

4. intransitive, transitive to change the direction you are moving or travelling in; to make sth change the direction it is moving in
• ~ (into sth) He turned into a narrow street.
• ~ sth The man turned the corner and disappeared.

• ~ sth into sth I turned the car into the car park.

5. intransitive (+ adv./prep.) (of a road or river) to curve in a particular direction
• The road turns to the left after the church.

• The river turns north at this point.

AIM/POINT

6. transitive, intransitive to aim or point sth in a particular direction
• ~ sth (on/to sb/sth/yourself) Police turned water cannon on the rioters.
• He turned the gun on himself.
• She looked at him then turned her attention back to me.

• ~ to sb/sth/yourself His thoughts turned to his dead wife.

OF TIDE IN SEA

7. intransitive to start to come in or go out

• The tide is turning— we'd better get back.

LET SB/STH GO

8. transitive to make or let sb/sth go into a particular place or state
• ~ sth + adv./prep. They turned the horse into the field.

• ~ sth + adj. to turn the dogs loose

FOLD

9. transitive ~ sth + adv./prep. to fold sth in a particular way
• She turned down the blankets and climbed into bed.

• He turned up the collar of his coat and hurried out into the rain.

CARTWHEEL/SOMERSAULT

10. transitive, no passive ~ sth to perform a movement by moving your body in a circle

• to turn cartwheels/somersaults

PAGE

11. transitive, intransitive if you turn a page of a book or magazine, you move it so that you can read the next page
• ~ sth He sat turning the pages idly.

• ~ to sth Turn to p.23.

GAME

12. intransitive, transitive ~ (sth) (around) if a game turns or sb turns it, it changes the way it is developing so that a different person or team starts to win

BECOME
13. linking verb to change into a particular state or condition; to make sth do this
• + adj. The leaves were turning brown.
• The weather has turned cold.
• He turned nasty when we refused to give him the money.
• He decided to turn professional.
• ~ sth + adj. The heat turned the milk sour.
• + noun She turned a deathly shade of white when she heard the news.

• He's a lawyer turned politician (= he used to be a lawyer but is now a politician).

AGE/TIME

14. linking verb (not used in the progressive tenses) + noun to reach or pass a particular age or time
• She turns 21 in June.

• It's turned midnight.

STOMACH

15. intransitive, transitive ~ (your stomach) when your stomach turns or sth turns your stomach, you feel as though you will vomit

WOOD
16. transitive ~ sth to shape sth on a lathe
• to turn a chair leg

• turned boxes and bowls

Rem: Most idioms containing turn are at the entries for the nouns and adjectives in the idioms, for example not turn a hair is at hair.

Word Origin:
Old English tyrnan, turnian (verb), from Latin tornare, from tornus ‘lathe’, from Greek tornos ‘lathe, circular movement’; probably reinforced in Middle English by Old French turner. The noun (Middle English) is partly from Anglo-Norman French tourn, partly from the verb.
Synonyms:
return
come back • go back • get back • turn back
These words all mean to come or go back from one place to another.
return • to come or go back from one place to another: ▪ I waited a long time for him to return.
Return is slightly more formal than the other words in this group, and is used more often in writing or formal speech.
come back • to return. Come back is usually used from the point of view of the person or place that sb returns to: ▪ Come back and visit again soon!
go back • to return to the place you recently or originally came from or that you have been to before. Go back is usually used from the point of view of the person who is returning: ▪ Do you ever want to go back to China?
get back • to arrive back somewhere, especially at your home or the place where you are staying: ▪ What time did you get back last night?
turn back • to return the way that you came, especially because sth stops you from continuing: ▪ The weather got so bad that we had to turn back.
to return/come back/go back/get back to/from/with sth
to return/come back/go back/get back/turn back again
to return/come back/go back/get back home/to work
to return/come back/get back safely

Become is more formal than get. Both describe changes in people’s emotional or physical state, or natural or social changes.
Go is usually used for negative changes.
Go and turn are both used for changes of colour.
Turn is also used for changes in the weather.
Example Bank:
• He's a lawyer turned politician.
• They say her hair turned white overnight.
• to turn blue/red/white
• to turn cold/warm/chilly
• to turn nasty/mean/sour/bad
• Anne flushed and turned her head away.
• Don't turn your anger on the children.
• He claimed that his disturbed childhood had turned him into a criminal.
• He tried to forget the events of past few days and turned his thoughts to practical tasks.
• He turned left into a narrow street.
• His beloved father had turned into a tyrant.
• I managed to turn the whole thing into a joke.
• Lee turned to face her.
• Many supporters are now turning their criticism on the manager.
• She looked at him, then turned her attention back to me.
• She turned the meeting into a public relations exercise.
• She turned the steering wheel as far as it would go.
• The blades of the helicopter were turning slowly.
• The leaves gradually turn from green to orange.
• The natural sugars turn into alcohol during brewing.
• The ordeal she had expected had turned into fun.
• The problem turned into an advantage.
• The slight drizzle turned into a downpour.
• There are plans to turn the old station into a hotel.
• What began as a minor disagreement has turned into a major crisis.
• While his back was turned I sneaked a look at his notes.
• With a wave of her wand, she turned him into a frog.
Idioms: as it turned out ▪ at every turn ▪ done to a turn ▪ give somebody a turn ▪ good turn ▪ in turn ▪ on the turn ▪ one good turn deserves another ▪ take turns ▪ talk out of turn ▪ turn of mind ▪ turn of phrase ▪ turn of speed ▪ turn of the screw ▪ turn of the year ▪ turn round and do something ▪ well/badly turned out

Derived: turn against somebody ▪ turn back ▪ turn in ▪ turn in on yourself ▪ turn into something ▪ turn off ▪ turn off something ▪ turn on somebody ▪ turn on something ▪ turn out ▪ turn over ▪ turn over something ▪ turn round ▪ turn somebody against somebody ▪ turn somebody away ▪ turn somebody back ▪ turn somebody down ▪ turn somebody in ▪ turn somebody into something ▪ turn somebody off ▪ turn somebody on ▪ turn somebody out ▪ turn somebody over to somebody ▪ turn somebody round ▪ turn something down ▪ turn something in ▪ turn something off ▪ turn something on ▪ turn something out ▪ turn something over ▪ turn something over to somebody ▪ turn something over to something ▪ turn something round ▪ turn something up ▪ turn to somebody ▪ turn up

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

turn / tɜːn / / tɝːn / verb [ I or T ] (GO ROUND)

B2 to (cause to) move in a circle round a fixed point or line:

The Earth turns on its axis once every 24 hours.

She turned on her toes, holding out her skirt.

The wheels started to turn (round) .

Turn the steering wheel as quickly as you can.

She turned the doorknob and quietly opened the door.

Slowly, I turned the door handle.

turn / tɜːn / / tɝːn / verb [ I or T ] (CHANGE DIRECTION)

A2 to (cause to) change the direction in which you are facing or moving:

Turn right at the traffic lights.

The path twists and turns for the next half mile.

We have to turn down/into/up the next road on the right.

Plants tend to turn towards the source of light.

She turned to face him.

He turned round and waved to us.

He turned on his heel (= turned quickly to face the opposite direction) and left the room.

The person on my left turned to me and whispered "Not another speech!"

His wife tried to speak to him, but he turned his back ( on her)/turned away (from her) (= moved himself round and away from her to show his anger) .

At about three o'clock, the tide started to turn (= the sea started to come closer to or move away from the beach) .

He turned his head to me to listen.

I'll just turn the car round and go back the way we've come.

We watched until the car had turned (= gone round) the corner.

The army turned their guns on (= pointed them at and started to shoot at) the protesters.

She can turn (= perform) a somersault .

turn / tɜːn / / tɝːn / verb [ I or T ] (CHANGE POSITION)

B1 to move, or to move an object or page, so that a different side or surface is on the top:

Now turn the page, please, and start work on Exercise 2.

She turned the vase over to look for the price.

He turned over two or three pages.

She put out the light, turned over (= rolled in order to face in another direction) and went to sleep.

Now turn to (= open the book at) page 23 and look at the first paragraph.

turn / tɜːn / / tɝːn / verb (BECOME)

B2 [ L , I or T usually + adv/prep ] to (cause to) become, change into, or come to be something:

The weather has suddenly turned cold.

When I refused to pay, he turned nasty.

She turned pale and started to shiver.

The mood of the meeting turned solemn when the extent of the problem became known.

The companies worked well together for a time, but eventually the relationship turned sour (= became bad) .

Keele, pop star turned business tycoon, has launched a new range of cosmetics.

The dry weather turned the soil into/to concrete.

By the end of September, the leaves have started to turn (= become brown) .

Her attitude turned from politely interested to enthusiastic during the course of our conversation.

turn 16, nine o'clock, etc. C1 to become a particular age or time:

She turned 18 last year.

It's just turned ten o'clock.

turn / tɜːn / / tɝːn / verb [ I or T , usually + adv/prep ] (SWITCH)

turn

A2 to use a control to switch a piece of equipment or a power or water supply on or off, or to increase or reduce what it is producing:

Turn off/out the light.

Who turned the telly on ?

I asked him to turn down the heating.

Turn the sound up - I can't hear what they're saying.

This sort of heater turns off (= can be switched off) at the mains.

turn / tɜːn / / tɝːn / verb (TWIST)

turn your ankle old-fashioned to damage the muscles in the foot by suddenly twisting it too strongly:

She turned her ankle on the rocks and had to hobble back to camp.

turn / tɜːn / / tɝːn / verb [ T ] specialized (WOOD)

to shape a piece of wood while it is fixed to a machine that spins it:

a turned bowl

Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

turn

/tɜ:(r)n/
(turns, turning, turned)

Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.

Note: '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.
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...
VERB: V, V prep/adv, V n adv/prep
•
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.
PHRASAL VERB: V P, V n P

2.
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.
VERB: V n prep/adv, V n to-inf, V-ed

3.
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.
VERB: V, V n

4.
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.
VERB: V n, V n prep/adv, V

5.
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.
VERB: V prep/adv, V n
•
Turn is also a noun.
You can’t do a right-hand turn here.
N-COUNT

6.
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.
VERB: V prep/adv, also V
•
Turn is also a noun.
...a sharp turn in the road.
N-COUNT

7.
When the tide turns, it starts coming in or going out.
There was not much time before the tide turned.
VERB: V

8.
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.
VERB: V n

9.
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.
VERB: V n on n, V n on n

10.
If you turn to a particular page in a book or magazine, you open it at that page.
To order, turn to page 236.
VERB: V to n

11.
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.
VERB: V n to n, V to n

12.
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...
VERB: V to n

13.
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...
VERB: V to/from n/-ing

14.
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...
VERB: V into/to n, V n into/to n

15.
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
V-LINK: V adj

16.
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.
V-LINK: V colour, V n colour

17.
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...
V-LINK: V adj

18.
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.
N-COUNT: with supp, oft N in n

19.
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...
VERB: no passive, V n

20.
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...
VERB: V n

21.
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.
N-SING: the N of n

22.
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.
VERB: V n

23.
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...
N-COUNT: usu with poss, oft N to-inf, N at -ing, N -ing

24.
If you say that someone is having a turn, you mean they feel suddenly very unwell for a short period of time. (BRIT INFORMAL)
N-COUNT

25.
see also turning

26.
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.
PHRASE: PHR with group, PHR with v

27.
If there is a particular turn of events, a particular series of things happen.
They were horrified at this unexpected turn of events.
PHRASE

28.
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...
PHRASE: PHR after v, PHR with cl [emphasis]

29.
If you do someone a good turn, you do something that helps or benefits them.
He did you a good turn by resigning...
PHRASE: usu PHR after v

30.
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.
PHRASE: V inflects

31.
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.
PHRASE: V inflects

32.
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.
PHRASE: PHR with cl/group

33.
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.
PHRASE: PHR after v

34.
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.
PHRASE: V inflects

35.
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...
PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR to-inf

36.
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.
PHRASE: V inflects

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

¹turn /ˈtɚn/ verb turns; turned; turn·ing
1 : to move around a central point

[no obj]

• The Earth turns [=rotates, revolves] on its axis.
- often + around
• We spun the top and watched it turn around in circles.

[+ obj]

• He turned the key and opened the door.
• She slowly turned the doorknob.
• Turn the steering wheel all the way to the left.
• Someone turned the switch and the lights came on.
2 a : to cause your body or a part of your body to face a different direction

[no obj]

• They turned and walked away.
• She turned to leave—but stopped.
• She turned (around) to look at me.
• They turned (away) from the gruesome sight.
• He turned aside/sideways to let me pass.
• The patient turned onto his side.
• The photographer asked her to turn slightly to her/the left.

[+ obj]

• He turned himself around to see the back of his shirt in the mirror.
• She turned her face away from the camera.
b : to cause (something or a side of something) to face an opposite or different direction

[+ obj]

• Turn the picture (around) so that I can see it.
• I think you should turn [=flip] the pancakes now.
• Turn the page (over).
• The tag says to turn the shirt inside out before washing it.
• He turned up/down the collar of his jacket.
• Before planting the seeds, she turned the soil. [=brought lower levels of soil to the surface by digging]

[no obj]

• The plant's leaves had turned toward the window.
3 a : to move in a particular direction and especially toward the left or right

[no obj]

• A car turned into the driveway.
• He ran down the street and turned toward the park.
• Turn left at the next intersection.
• Turn right onto Main Street.
• Turn here.

[+ obj]

• He turned the light in the direction of the noise.
• She turned the car into the driveway.
• The bicyclists turned the corner [=they rode around the corner] at full speed.
b [no obj] : to begin to go in a different direction
• The road turns sharply to the right up ahead.
• The river turns east for a few miles and then continues south.
c [no obj] of a tide : to begin to move in the opposite direction
• We're waiting for the tide to turn.
4 : to change into a different state or form

[no obj]

• The leaves turn [=they change color] in the fall.
• The milk has turned. [=it has become sour]
• His luck turned, and he lost all his winnings.
- often + into or to
• The argument quickly turned into a fistfight.
• The sofa can turn into a bed.
• He has seen his little girl turn into a bright, beautiful woman.
• Water turns to ice at 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Her cereal had turned to mush.

[+ obj]

- often + into or to
• The witch turned the prince into a frog.
• The studio plans to turn the book into a movie.
• There are plans to turn the old school into an apartment building.
• The cold weather turned the water to ice.
• Her stare, it was said, could turn men to stone.
5 a [linking verb] : to change to a different state, condition, etc. : become
• The milk has turned sour.
• The weather turned cold overnight.
• His hair was beginning to turn gray.
• She turned red with embarrassment.
• It was beginning to turn dark outside.
• an actress turned director [=an actress who became a director]
• Two of his teammates have decided to turn pro. [=to become professional athletes]
• She was a spy who turned traitor [=became a traitor] and gave secret information to the enemy.
b [+ obj] : to cause (someone or something) to change in a specified way
• A drought would turn things from bad to worse for the farmers.
• The events of his life had turned [=made] him bitter.
• The sun turned her skin (a) golden brown.
c [linking verb] : to reach a particular age
• She turned two years old last week.
• He moved away from home when he turned 20.
6 [+ obj] : to change the volume, temperature, channel, etc., of (something) by pressing a button, moving a switch, etc.
• Turn the TV to channel 4.
• He turned the oven to 400 degrees.
• The lights in the room had been turned low.
- see also turn down (below), turn up (below)
7 [+ obj] : to direct (your thoughts, attention, etc.) toward or away from something : to start or stop thinking about or paying attention to someone or something
• He turned his thoughts to home. [=he began to think of home]
• She turned her attention to the child.
• I could not turn my mind away from the idea.
• Their efforts were turned to defending the country's borders.
8 [+ obj] : to earn (a profit)
• He turned a quick profit.
• (chiefly Brit) people looking to turn a penny or two [=to earn a profit]
9 [+ obj] : to perform (a particular action)
• The team turned a double play to end the inning.
• She learned how to turn a cartwheel.
• They were living on the streets and turning tricks [=taking money for sex] to survive.
10 [+ obj] : to form (a sentence, phrase, etc.) in a particular way
• perfectly turned phrases
• He knows how to turn a sentence.
11 [+ obj] : to injure (your ankle) by moving it in an unnatural way
• She turned [=twisted] her ankle during the game.
12 [+ obj] : to create or shape (something) from a piece of wood or metal by using a special machine (called a lathe)
• turn a set of table legs

In addition to the phrases shown below, turn occurs in many idioms that are shown at appropriate entries throughout the dictionary. For example, turn a blind eye can be found at ¹blind and turn the tables can be found at ¹table.

turn against [phrasal verb]
1 a turn against (someone or something) : to stop supporting or being friendly to (someone or something)
• The senator eventually turned against the war.
• She turned against her best friend.
b turn (someone) against (someone) : to cause (someone) to stop being friendly toward (someone)
• He tried to turn our friends against us.
2 turn (something) against (someone) : to use (something) in a way that harms (someone)
• She started turning my argument against me.
• He tried to turn her many years of experience in Washington against her. [=tried to persuade people that her experience was not a good thing]
turn around or chiefly Brit turn round [phrasal verb]
1 turn around or turn around (something) or turn (something) around : to cause a vehicle to travel in the opposite direction
• We turned around in someone's driveway.
• She turned the car around and drove back home.
2 a : to change and become better or more successful
• Recently, the company has turned around, and it should have a profitable year.
• The economy should turn around soon.
b turn around (something) or turn (something) around : to change (something) in a way that makes it better or more successful
• The new CEO has really turned the company around in the past year.
• You need to turn your life around before it's too late.
3 turn around and (do something) informal : to act in an unexpected or surprising way by doing (something specified)
• He just turned around and left school. [=he just suddenly left school]
• You can't turn around and say that you don't want to go. I already bought the tickets!
- see also turnaround
turn away [phrasal verb] turn away (someone) or turn (someone) away : to refuse to allow (someone) to enter a place
• All the seats were sold and a large crowd had to be turned away.
• The homeless shelter will not turn away people in need.
• We turn away hundreds of applicants each year.
turn back [phrasal verb]
1 a : to move in the opposite direction in order to return to a place
• The sun is setting. It's time to turn back.
• It's too late to turn back. We have to keep going.
b : to return to an earlier place or time
• Turn back to the first page.
• Once you start the process, there's no turning back. [=you must continue the process]
2 turn back (someone or something) or turn (someone or something) back
a : to force (someone or something) to move in an opposite direction
• They fought to turn back the enemy.
• If I could turn back (the hands of) time [=return to a condition that existed in the past], I would.
b : to force (someone or something) to return to a place
• The refugees were turned back at the border.
turn down [phrasal verb]
1 turn down (something) or turn (something) down : to lower the volume, temperature, etc., of something by pressing a button, moving a switch, etc.
• Please turn down the heat.
• The lights in the restaurant were turned down low.
• He turned the volume down on the TV. = He turned down the TV.
• Turn the oven down to 325 degrees.
- see also ¹turn 6 (above)
2 turn down (something) or turn (something) down : to fold (something) down or back
• She turned down the bedsheets.
• He turned down the corner of the page.
3 turn down (someone or something) or turn (someone or something) down : to say no to (someone or something) especially in a polite way
• She turned the offer down.
• They turned down our invitation.
• I asked her out , but she turned me down.
turn in [phrasal verb]
1 : to enter a place by turning from a road or path
• Here's the house. You can turn in up there.
2 : to go to bed
• It's time to turn in.
3 turn (something) in or turn in (something)
a chiefly US : to give (something) to a person who will review or accept it
• He turned in [=handed in] his application/resignation yesterday.
• Students should turn their papers in on Thursday.
b : to return (something that you have borrowed, found, etc.)
• Please turn in [=return] the art supplies when you are finished with them.
• She found a set of keys and turned them in to the secretary at the front desk.
• Has anyone turned in a wallet recently?
• The suspended officer was asked to turn in his badge and gun.
c : to perform or produce (something)
• She turned in [=gave] a fine performance.
• The company has turned in a healthy profit for the third year running.
4 turn (someone) in
a : to give control of (someone) to the police or some other authority
• His own parents brought him to the police station and turned him in.
• The escaped prisoner turned himself in (to the police). [=he went to the police and allowed himself to be arrested]
b : to give information about the location of (someone who has committed a crime) to the police or some other authority
• His girlfriend threatened to turn him in.
turn loose
- see let loose at ¹loose
turn off [phrasal verb]
1 : to go in a direction that moves you away from a straight course or main road
• They turned off onto the wrong road.
• Turn off at the next exit.
2 turn off (something) or turn (something) off : to stop the operation or flow of (something) by pressing a button, moving a switch, etc.
• She turned off the alarm/heat/lights/water.
• Should I leave the TV on or turn it off?
3 turn (someone) off or turn off (someone) informal : to cause a strong feeling of dislike in (someone) : to be unappealing to (someone)
• People who smoke turn me off.
- see also turnoff
turn on [phrasal verb]
1 turn on (something) or turn (something) on : to cause (something) to work or flow by pressing a button, moving a switch, etc.
• She turned on the lights/computer/radio/water.
• We turned on the heat in the house.
- often used figuratively
• He really knows how to turn on the charm. [=knows how to be charming]
• She turned the tears on [=she started crying] to get their sympathy.
2 turn (someone) on or turn on (someone) informal : to cause (someone) to feel excitement or enjoyment : to be appealing to (someone)
• What kind of music turns you on?
- see also turn-on
3 turn (someone) on to (something) : to cause (someone) to use or become interested in (something) for the first time
• She turned him on to water-skiing.
• He was turned on to cocaine by an acquaintance.
4 turn on (someone or something) : to attack or criticize (someone or something) in a sudden or unexpected way
• The dog suddenly turned on its owner.
• The rock star's fans began to turn on him.
5 turn on/upon (something)
a : to be determined or decided by (something)
• The outcome of the election turns on [=depends on] how well the candidates perform in the next debate.
b : to have (something) as a main subject or interest
• The discussion turned on the question of how the money should be spent.
6 turn (something) on (someone or something) : to use (something, such as a weapon) to harm, stop, or kill (someone or something)
• Fire hoses were turned on the protesters.
• He killed three people before turning the gun on himself. [=before shooting himself]
turn out [phrasal verb]
1 : to leave your home in order to participate in or do something
• Few people turned out for the election.
• Few people turned out to vote.
- see also turnout 1
2 a : to happen, end, or develop in a particular way
• Despite some initial difficulties, everything turned out well.
• Things don't always turn out the way you want them to.
• As it/things turned out, I didn't need an umbrella after all.
b turn out to be (something)
- used to say that something or someone eventually becomes something or is found to have a particular identity, quality, ability, etc.
• The play turned out to be a success.
• The animal in the bushes turned out to be a cat.
• I hope I turn out to be right.
c turn out like (someone or something) : to become like (someone or something)
• He didn't want to turn out like his father.
• Nobody thought it would ever turn out like this.
3 turn out (something) or turn (something) out
a : to cause (something) to face or point outward
• She turned her feet out and bent down.
• He stood with his feet turned out.
b : to cause (a lamp, flashlight, etc.) to no longer produce light by pushing a button, moving a switch, etc.
• Who turned out the lights?
c : to produce (something)
• The factory turns out parts for car engines.
• They turn out a new CD almost every year.
d : to cause (something, such as a pocket) to become inside out
• He turned out his pockets to show that they were empty.
e : to empty the contents of (something) especially for cleaning or organizing
• She turned out the drawer.
• He turned out the closet in search of his baseball glove.
4 turn (someone) out or turn out (someone)
a : to force (someone) to leave a place or position
• The landlord turned them out from/of the apartment for not paying the rent.
• Voters are unhappy with the governor and want to turn her out.
b : to dress (yourself or someone else) in a careful or fancy way - usually (be) turned out
• a handsomely turned out gentleman
• She was turned out in a beautiful blue gown.
turn over [phrasal verb]
1 a : to move and face the opposite direction
• She turned over (in bed) to see what time it was.
• The kayak turned over in the rapids.
- sometimes used figuratively
• (Brit) The boat ride turned over my stomach.
b turn over (someone or something) or turn (someone or something) over : to cause (someone or something) to face the opposite direction
• If you turn the paper over, you will find more math problems.
• He turned over the baby onto her back.
2 of an engine : to start to work
• The engine would not turn over.
3 turn over (something) or turn (something) over
a : to earn (a particular amount of money)
• The store has been turning over $1,000 a week.
b US sports : to allow the other team to get possession of (a ball)
• The quarterback has turned the ball over three times.
- see also turnover 4
4 turn (someone or something) over to (someone) or turn over (someone or something) to (someone) : to give the control or responsibility of (someone or something) to (someone)
• I am turning the job over to you. [=I am giving you the job]
• He turned the property over to his niece.
• The case has been turned over to the district attorney.
• The suspect was turned over to the police on Wednesday.
5 turn (something) over to (something) or turn over (something) to (something) : to change the use of (something, such as land or a building)
• She plans to turn over the land to growing wheat and barley.
6 turn over (something) in your mind or turn (something) over in your mind : to think about (something) in order to understand it or make a decision
• She kept turning over the problem in her mind, trying to find a solution.
7 chiefly Brit : to change the channel on a television set
• Turn over to channel 7.
8 turn over (a place) or turn (a place) over Brit slang : to make a mess of (a place) while robbing it
• The shop has been turned over three times in the last year.
turn to [phrasal verb]
1 turn to (someone or something) : to go to (someone or something) for support, information, etc.
• I was all alone and had no one to turn to.
• She became depressed and turned to drugs. [=began using drugs]
- often + for
• She turned to a friend for help.
• He turned to the employment agency for support.
• Turn to [=refer to] the handout for the exact figures.
2 turn to (something)
a : to become involved in or with (something)
• He turned to a life of crime.
• She sang rock music before turning to the blues.
b : to begin to deal with (something different) as a topic
• The conversation eventually turned to politics.
• We should turn to the next item on the list.
c : to turn the pages of a book, magazine, etc., until you have reached the desired or specified page
• She turned ahead to the third chapter.
• Please turn (over) to page 22 of your textbook.
turn up [phrasal verb]
1 a : to be found usually unexpectedly
• I'm sure your ring will turn up somewhere.
• New evidence has turned up.
b : to be found to be in a specified condition
• The missing person eventually turned up dead.
• He turned up missing at roll call. [=he was not present at roll call]
c turn up (something) or turn (something) up : to find or discover (something)
• I'll let you know if I turn up anything interesting.
2 : to happen unexpectedly
• Something is always turning up to prevent us from getting together.
3 a : to arrive at a place
• And who should turn up at the ceremony but John!
• Things were looking bad, but he was sure someone would turn up to save him.
b : to appear in a place
• Her name is always turning up in the newspapers.
4 turn up (something) or turn (something) up
a : to increase the volume, temperature, etc., of something by pressing a button, moving a switch, etc.
• I turned up the heat.
• Please turn the volume up on the TV. = Please turn the TV up.
• The oven was turned up to 400 degrees.
b : to make (a skirt, a pair of pants, etc.) shorter
• These pants need to be turned up a little.