British English

on

I. on¹ S1 W1 /ɒn $ ɑːn, ɒːn/ BrE AmE preposition
[Language: Old English]
1. ON A SURFACE
a) touching a surface or being supported by a surface:
Leave your things on the table over there.
People were sunbathing on the grass.
The little girl was sitting on her father’s shoulders.
b) used to say that someone or something moves so that they are then touching or supported by a surface:
snow falling on the mountainsides
He threw himself on the bed.
2. SUPPORTING YOUR BODY used to say what part of someone’s body is touching the ground or another surface and supporting their weight:
She was on her feet in no time.
He was on his hands and knees searching for something.
Can you stand on your head?
3. PART HIT/TOUCHED used to say what part of someone or something is hit or touched:
I wanted to punch him on the nose.
Matt kissed her on the cheek.
4. WRITTEN/SHOWN used to say where something is written or shown:
There’s a diagram on page 25.
He wrote his phone number on a piece of paper.
5. ATTACHED attached to or hanging from something:
She hung her coat on a hook.
Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times.
6. PLACE in a particular place:
The town is right on the border.
Is there a water supply on the island?
He grew up on a ranch in California.
a store on Fifth Avenue
7. POSITION in a particular position in relation to something else:
You’ll see the school on your left.
They live on the opposite side of the town.
8. LOOKING/POINTING looking or pointing towards something or someone:
His eyes were on the stranger standing in the doorway.
She trained her binoculars on the house.
9. DAY/DATE during a particular day:
They’ll be here on Tuesday.
I was born on July 1st.
We’ll see you on Christmas Eve.
GRAMMAR
Do not use on before 'this', 'last', or 'next' and a day of the week:
▪ The school reopened last Tuesday (NOT on last Tuesday).
10. AFFECTING/RELATING TO affecting or relating to someone or something:
a tax on cigarettes
his influence on young people
There will be new restrictions on the sale of weapons.
What effect will these changes have on the tourist industry?
11. ABOUT about a particular subject:
Do you have any books on India?
You can get information on local services by calling this number.
an international conference on global warming
12. ORDERS/ADVICE as a result of someone’s order, request, or advice:
He was killed on the King’s orders.
I accepted the offer on the advice of my lawyer.
13. EAT/DRINK used to talk about what someone usually eats or drinks:
They live mainly on beans, lentils, and rice.
Is your baby on solid food yet?
14. TRANSPORT
a) in or into a bus, train, plane etc OPP off:
Did you manage to sleep on the plane?
Tommy should be on the six o'clock train.
She got on the first bus that came along.
b) riding something:
a statue of the King on horseback
I’ll probably come on my bike.
15. MONEY receiving money for a job or as a regular payment:
He’s on quite a good salary now.
She must be on at least £50,000 a year.
the difficulties faced by families on low incomes
16. FUEL using a particular type of ↑fuel or power:
Most buses run on diesel.
Does it work on mains electricity?
17. MEDICINE/DRUGS taking a particular drug or medicine regularly OPP off:
Are you still on antibiotics?
The doctor put her on Prozac.
A lot of these kids are on heroin by the age of 12.
18. what’s somebody on? spoken used to say that someone is behaving in a very strange way, as if they are taking an illegal drug
19. USING EQUIPMENT using a machine or piece of equipment:
He’s been on the computer all afternoon.
Is Rachel still on the phone?
20. MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS playing a musical instrument:
He played a short piece on the piano.
The album features Rick Wakeman on keyboards.
21. RADIO/TELEVISION being broadcast by radio or television:
What’s on TV tonight?
Did you hear that programme on the radio last night?
22. RECORDED used to say in what form information is stored or music, films etc are recorded:
The movie is now available on video and DVD.
I always keep a backup copy on disk.
23. ACTIVITY/JOURNEY taking part in an activity or travelling somewhere:
She’s on a course all this week.
I met him on vacation in Canada.
My girlfriend is often away on business trips.
24. INCLUDED included in a group or team of people or in a list:
Are you still on the management committee?
Mr Edwards is no longer on the staff here.
Whose team are you on?
There was no steak on the menu.
What’s the next item on the agenda?
25. WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS formal as soon as someone has done something or as soon as something has happened:
Couples are presented with a bottle of wine on their arrival at the hotel.
All patients are examined on admission to the hospital.
on doing something
What was your reaction on seeing him?
26. COMPARED WITH SOMETHING compared with another person or thing:
This essay is a definite improvement on your last one.
Sales are 10% up on last year.
27. CARRYING SOMETHING informal if you have something on you, you have it in your pocket, your bag etc:
I don’t have any money on me.
28. PAY be on somebody spoken used to say who is going to pay for something:
The drinks are on me!
Each table will get a bottle of champagne on the house (=paid for by the restaurant, hotel etc).
29. TELEPHONE NUMBER used to say what number you should use in order to telephone someone SYN at American English:
You can contact me on this number.
30. CAUSING SOMEBODY PROBLEMS used when something bad happens to you, for example when something you are using suddenly stops working, or someone you have a relationship with suddenly leaves you:
Suddenly the telephone went dead on me.
Dorothy’s first husband walked out on her.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ about used when saying what the subject of something is: She’s always talking about you. | In her novels she writes about life in South Africa. | There’s something I wanted to ask you about.
▪ on about a particular subject: a book on English grammar | a report on poverty in rural areas
▪ concerning/regarding formal about: Prince Saiid answered questions concerning Kuwait’s future. | The report raises a number of questions regarding food safety.
▪ with regard to formal about – used especially when you want to start talking or writing about something: Dear Sir, I’m writing with regard to your advertisement in The Times.
▪ re used in business letters and in emails to introduce the subject that you are going to write about: Re: Friday’s meeting

fraud

fraud /frɔːd $ frɒːd/ BrE AmE noun
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: fraude, from Latin fraus 'deceiving']
1. [uncountable and countable] the crime of deceiving people in order to gain something such as money or goods
tax/insurance/credit card etc fraud
He’s been charged with tax fraud.
electoral fraud
She was found guilty of fraud.
2. [countable] someone or something that is not what it is claimed to be:
I felt like a fraud.
The police exposed the letter as a fraud.
• • •
THESAURUS
■ crimes of stealing
▪ robbery noun [uncountable and countable] the crime of stealing from a bank, shop etc: £100,000 was stolen in the robbery. | The gang carried out a string of daring robberies.
▪ burglary noun [uncountable and countable] the crime of breaking into someone’s home in order to steal things: There have been several burglaries in our area.
▪ theft noun [uncountable and countable] the crime of stealing something: Car theft is a big problem. | thefts of credit cards
▪ shoplifting noun [uncountable] the crime of taking things from shops without paying for them: They get money for drugs from shoplifting.
▪ fraud noun [uncountable and countable] the crime of getting money from people by tricking them: He’s been charged with tax fraud. | credit card fraud
▪ larceny noun [uncountable] especially American English law the crime of stealing something: He was found guilty of larceny.
▪ phishing noun [uncountable] the activity of tricking people into giving their personal details, bank numbers etc on the Internet, in order to steal money from them: One in four computer users reports that they have been hit by phishing attempts.

II. bargain² BrE AmE verb [intransitive]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: bargaignier]
to discuss the conditions of a sale, agreement etc, for example to try and get a lower price
bargain for
workers bargaining for better pay
bargain over
They bargained over the level of wages.
bargain with
women bargaining with traders
—bargainer noun [countable]:
He’s the hardest bargainer in the business.
bargain for something (also bargain on something) phrasal verb
[usually in negatives] to expect that something will happen and make it part of your plans:
They hadn’t bargained for such a dramatic change in the weather.
bargain on doing something
I hadn’t bargained on being stuck in traffic on the way home.
The thief got more than he bargained for, as Mr Cox tripped him up with his walking stick.

chilly

chill‧y /ˈtʃɪli/ BrE AmE adjective
1. chilly weather or places are cold enough to make you feel uncomfortable
chilly day/night/evening etc
a chilly November morning
chilly wind/breeze/air etc
Getting chilly, isn’t it?
The bathroom’s a bit chilly.
2. if you feel chilly, you feel uncomfortably cold
3. unfriendly SYN frosty:
The speech met with a chilly reception.
—chilliness noun [singular, uncountable]
• • •
THESAURUS
■ weather
▪ cold used especially when you feel uncomfortable: It gets very cold here in the winter.
▪ cool a little cold, often in a way that feels comfortable: It’s very hot in the day, but cooler at night. | a nice cool breeze
▪ chilly a little cold, but not very cold, in a way that feels rather uncomfortable: a chilly autumn day | It’s a bit chilly.
▪ freezing (cold) spoken very cold and very uncomfortable: It’s freezing outside.
▪ bitterly cold very cold and very uncomfortable: It can be bitterly cold in the mountains.
▪ icy (cold) very cold, especially when the temperature is below zero: The wind was icy cold.
▪ crisp cold, dry, and clear, in a way that seems pleasant: I love these crisp autumn mornings.
▪ frosty in frosty weather, the ground is covered in a frozen white powder: It was a bright frosty morning.
▪ arctic extremely cold and unpleasant, with snow and ice: He would not survive for long in the arctic conditions. | arctic weather

gossip

I. gos‧sip¹ /ˈɡɒsəp, ˈɡɒsɪp $ ˈɡɑː-/ BrE AmE noun
[Language: Old English; Origin: godsibb 'godparent, close friend', from god 'god' + sibb 'relative']
1. [uncountable] information that is passed from one person to another about other people’s behaviour and private lives, often including unkind or untrue remarks
gossip about
Here’s an interesting piece of gossip about Mrs Smith.
What’s the latest gossip?
Do you want to hear some juicy gossip?
She had no time for idle gossip.
It was common gossip how he felt about her.
You miss a lot of office gossip when you have a day off work.
On Sundays all the men gather in the square to exchange local gossip.
2. [countable usually singular] a conversation in which you exchange information with someone about other people’s lives and things that have happened:
Phil’s in there, having a gossip with Maggie.
3. [countable] someone who likes talking about other people’s private lives – used to show disapproval:
Rick’s a terrible gossip.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + gossip
▪ the latest gossip Annie usually has all the latest gossip.
▪ juicy gossip (=interesting gossip) He said that he had some especially juicy gossip to tell us.
▪ hot gossip (=interesting gossip) What’s the latest hot gossip going round at work then?
▪ idle gossip (=gossip not based on facts) She had no time for idle gossip.
▪ common gossip (=gossip that everyone knows about) Rumours about her affairs had become common gossip.
▪ office gossip He told her a few bits of office gossip which he though might interest her.
▪ village gossip BrE: She knew from village gossip how Harry had treated his first wife.
▪ malicious gossip (=unkind gossip that is likely to upset someone) Has someone been spreading malicious gossip?
■ phrases
▪ a piece of gossip I’ve got an interesting piece of gossip which might interest you.
▪ be the subject of gossip (=be talked about) His close friendship with Carol was the subject of gossip.
■ verbs
▪ exchange gossip (=talk about other people and their private lives with someone) They used to meet up and exchange gossip.
▪ hear gossip Have you heard the latest gossip about Steve?
▪ listen to gossip He was always willing to listen to gossip.
▪ spread gossip Someone’s been spreading gossip about Lucy and Ian.
▪ gossip goes around (=it is told by one person to another) It was a small village, and any gossip went around very quickly.

start

I. start¹ S1 W1 /stɑːt $ stɑːrt/ BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: noun: ↑start, ↑starter ≠ NON-STARTER, ↑restart; verb: ↑start, ↑restart]
[Language: Old English; Origin: styrtan 'to jump']
1. BEGIN DOING SOMETHING [intransitive and transitive] to do something that you were not doing before, and continue doing it SYN begin:
There’s so much to do I don’t know where to start.
Have you started your homework?
start doing something
Then the baby started crying.
start to do something
It’s starting to rain.
He got up and started running again.
I’d better get started (=start doing something) soon.
start somebody doing something
What Kerry said started me thinking (=made me start thinking).
2. BEGIN HAPPENING [intransitive and transitive] (also start off) to begin happening, or to make something begin happening:
What time does the film start?
Lightning started a fire that burned 500 acres.
The party was just getting started when Sara arrived.
starting (from) now/tomorrow/next week etc
You have two hours to complete the test, starting now.
3. BEGIN IN A PARTICULAR WAY [intransitive always + adverb/preposition, transitive] (also start off) to begin something in a particular way, or to begin in a particular way:
A healthy breakfast is a good way to start the day.
start with
The festivities started with a huge fireworks display.
start as
The restaurant started as a small take-out place.
start badly/well/slowly etc
Any new exercise program should start slowly.
start (something) by doing something
Chao starts by explaining some basic legal concepts.
4. BUSINESS/ORGANIZATION [transitive] (also start up) to make something begin to exist
start a business/company/firm etc
She wanted to start her own catering business.
5. JOB/SCHOOL [intransitive and transitive] to begin a new job, or to begin going to school, college etc:
When can you start?
start school/college/work
I started college last week.
6. CAR/ENGINE ETC [intransitive and transitive] (also start up) if you start a car or engine, or if it starts, it begins to work:
The car wouldn’t start this morning.
get the car/engine etc started
He couldn’t get his motorbike started.
7. BEGIN GOING SOMEWHERE [intransitive] (also start off/out) to begin travelling or moving in a particular direction SYN set out:
We’ll have to start early to get there by lunchtime.
8. LIFE/PROFESSION [intransitive always + adverb/preposition, transitive] (also start off/out) to begin your life or profession in a particular way or place
start as/in
She started as a dancer in the 1950s.
It’s difficult for new lawyers to get started in private practice.
9. ROAD/RIVER/PATH ETC [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] if a river, road, path etc starts somewhere, it begins in that place:
The trail starts immediately behind the hotel.
start in/at
The race will start at the town hall.
10. PRICES/AMOUNTS [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] if prices, amounts, or rates start at or from a particular number, that is the lowest number at which you can get or buy something
start at/from
Room prices start from £25 a night.
11. start from scratch/zero to begin doing a job or activity completely from the beginning:
There were no textbooks, so the teachers had to start from scratch.
12. DELIBERATELY BEGIN SOMETHING [transitive] to deliberately make something start happening, especially something bad:
I started a fire to warm the place up.
start a fight/argument
Oh, don’t go trying to start an argument.
Other girls were starting rumours about me.
13. to start with spoken
a) said when talking about the beginning of a situation, especially when it changes later:
I was pretty nervous to start with, but after a while I was fine.
b) said to emphasize the first of a list of facts or opinions you are stating:
There are problems. To start with, neither of us likes housework.
14. be back where you started to try to do something and fail, so that you finish in the same situation that you were in before:
A lot of people who lose weight gain it back over time, and end up back where they started.
15. SPORTS [intransitive and transitive] if a player starts in a game, or if someone starts them, they begin playing when the game begins, especially because they are one of the best players on the team
start for
Astacio started for the Dodgers on Tuesday night.
16. start a family to have your first baby:
We’re not ready to start a family yet.
17. start afresh/anew to stop doing what you are doing and begin doing it again in a better or different way:
She saw her new job as a chance to start afresh.
18. somebody started it! spoken used to say that someone else has caused an argument or problem:
‘Don’t hit her!’ ‘But she started it!’
19. start something/anything to begin causing trouble:
It looks like Jess is trying to start something.
20. MOVE SUDDENLY [intransitive] to move your body suddenly, especially because you are surprised or afraid SYN jump:
A loud knock at the door made her start.
start from
Emma started from her chair and rushed to the window.
21. start young to begin doing something when you are young, especially when it is unusual to do it:
Woods started young, and was coached by his father.
22. don’t (you) start! British English spoken used to tell someone to stop complaining, arguing, or annoying you:
‘Mum, I don’t like this ice cream.’ ‘Oh, don’t you start!’
• • •
THESAURUS
■ to start doing something
▪ start to begin doing something: I’m starting a new job next week. | It’s time we started.
▪ begin to start doing something. Begin is more formal than start, and is used especially in written English: He began to speak. | The orchestra began playing. | Shall we begin?
▪ commence formal to start doing something: The company will commence drilling next week. | Work was commenced on the next power station.
▪ get down to something to finally start doing something, especially your work: Come on, Sam – it’s time you got down to some homework. | We’d better get down to business.
▪ set off to start a journey: What time do you have to set off in the morning? | I usually set off for work at about 8.30.
▪ set out to start a long journey: The ship set out from Portsmouth on July 12th.
▪ embark on something especially written to start something, especially something new, difficult, or exciting: The Law Society has embarked on a major programme of reform. | Jamaica was embarking on a decade of musical creativity.
▪ resume formal to start doing something again after stopping it or being interrupted: Normal train services will be resumed on April 5th. | Trade was resumed after the end of the war.
▪ get cracking informal to start doing something or going somewhere: I think we should get cracking straightaway.
■ to start happening
▪ start/begin to begin: What time does the film start?
▪ begin to start. Begin is more formal than start and is used especially in written English: The trial began in March. | Work on the new bridge will begin early next year.
▪ open to start being shown to the public – used about a play, show, or exhibition: Lloyd Webber’s new musical opened in London last week. | A major exhibition of her work will open in New York in November.
▪ commence formal to start happening: The voting has already commenced. | The work is scheduled to commence in April.
▪ get under way to start happening or being done – used especially about something that is likely to last a long time: Construction work is getting under way on a new train network. | Discussions concerning the plan got under way on April 2.
▪ break out to start happening – used especially about a fire, a fight, war, or a disease: Police were called in when fighting broke out in the crowd. | The blaze broke out on the third floor of the hotel.
▪ kick off informal to start – used especially about a football game or a meeting: The match is due to kick off this afternoon at Wembley Stadium. | What time will the celebrations kick off?
start back phrasal verb
to begin returning to the place you came from
start back to/down/up etc
I started back down the mountain to camp.
start in phrasal verb American English
1. to begin doing something, especially with a lot of effort:
I decided to just start in and see what I could do.
start in on
Lilly started in on her burger.
2. to begin criticizing someone or complaining to them about something
start in on
Mom turned away from Rose and started in on me.
start off phrasal verb
1. to begin something in a particular way, or to begin in a particular way
start something ↔ off with something/by doing something
The theater company started off their new season with a Shakespeare play.
start off with something/by doing something
I started off by drawing the flowers I had collected.
2. to be a particular thing or have a particular quality at the beginning of something, especially when this changes later:
The puppies start off white, and get their black spots later.
start off as
The games start off as a social event, but players soon become competitive.
I started off as a drummer.
3. start something ↔ off to make something begin happening:
We’re not sure what starts the process off.
4. start somebody ↔ off to help someone begin an activity
start somebody ↔ off with
He started me off with some stretching exercises.
5. to begin going somewhere:
I sat in the car for a few minutes before starting off.
start off to/towards/back etc
She started off to school in her new uniform.
6. start somebody off British English informal to make someone get angry or start laughing, by saying something:
Don’t say that; that’ll just start him off.
start somebody off doing something
He made her jump, and that started her off giggling.
start on somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to begin doing something or using something:
You’d better start on your homework.
2. start somebody on something to make someone start doing something regularly, especially because it will be good for them:
Try starting your baby on solid foods at four months old.
3. British English informal to begin criticizing someone or complaining to them about something
start on somebody/something at
Ray’s wife started on at him about spending too much time in the pub.
start out phrasal verb
1. to begin happening or existing in a particular way, especially when this changes later
start out as
‘The Star’ started out as a small weekly newspaper.
The leaves start out a pale green, and later get darker.
2. to begin your life or profession, or an important period of time:
When the band first started out, they played at small clubs.
start out as
She started out as a model.
start out on
young couples starting out on their life together
3. to begin going somewhere:
Oliver started out at five, when it was still dark.
start over phrasal verb American English
to start doing something again from the beginning, especially because you want to do it better:
If you make a mistake, just erase it and start over.
start up phrasal verb
1. if you start up a business, company etc, or it starts up, it begins to exist:
Tax breaks help new companies start up.
start something ↔ up
Jordan started up a band of his own.
2. if an engine, car etc starts up, or you start it up, it begins working:
The driver got back into the car and started up.
start something ↔ up
Rory started up the engine and got the vehicle moving.
3. if a sound, activity, or event starts up, it begins to exist or happen:
The crickets had started up now that it was evening.

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.