2turn noun
plural turns [count] 1 : an opportunity or responsibility to do or use something before or after other people
▪ You have to wait your turn in line. ▪ Is it my turn yet? ▪ Can I please have/take a turn on your bike? [=can I have a chance to use your bike?] — often followed by to + verb ▪ Whose turn is it to do the dishes? ▪ It's her turn to bat. ▪ You've made me suffer in the past, so now it's your turn to suffer! 2 : an act of turning something around a central point
▪ Give the wheel another turn. ▪ He tightened the screw with one last turn. ▪ With a turn of the switch, the lights came back on. 3 : an act of changing the direction that someone or something is facing or moving in
▪ Take a left-hand turn at the next intersection. ▪ I made a right turn [=I turned right] onto Main Street. ▪ a quick turn of her head — see also three-point turn, u-turn 4 : a change in the state or condition of something — usually used with take ▪ The stock market took a sharp downward turn today. ▪ The conversation suddenly took an unexpected turn when he announced that he was getting married. ▪ Business took a turn for the worse/better. [=it became worse/better] ▪ There has been a dramatic turn of events. [=something important and surprising has happened] ▪ It's hard to follow all the twists and turns [=the surprising changes] of the plot. 5 a US : a place where a road connects to another road that goes in a different direction
▪ I think we took a wrong turn. [=(Brit) turning]
b : a place where a road, path, etc., changes direction
▪ There is a dangerous turn up ahead. ▪ The runners are coming down the straightaway and heading into the turn. ▪ The road through the mountains has many twists and turns. [=curves and frequent changes of direction] 6 : an act that affects someone in a particular way
▪ He did me a nasty turn. ▪ You have done me a few good turns, so now let me help you. ▪ One good turn deserves another. [=if someone does something nice for you, you should do something nice for that person] 7 : a public appearance or performance
▪ The actor makes frequent guest turns on the show. — see also star turn 8 old-fashioned : a short walk or ride — usually singular ▪ They took a turn [=went for a stroll] through the park. 9 old-fashioned : a sudden feeling of being frightened — usually singular ▪ He startled me and gave me quite a turn. 10 Brit, old-fashioned : a sudden, short period of feeling slightly ill, faint, or dizzy — usually singular ▪ He had a turn and had to lie down.
▪ You have to wait your turn in line. ▪ Is it my turn yet? ▪ Can I please have/take a turn on your bike? [=can I have a chance to use your bike?] — often followed by to + verb ▪ Whose turn is it to do the dishes? ▪ It's her turn to bat. ▪ You've made me suffer in the past, so now it's your turn to suffer!
▪ Give the wheel another turn. ▪ He tightened the screw with one last turn. ▪ With a turn of the switch, the lights came back on.
▪ Take a left-hand turn at the next intersection. ▪ I made a right turn [=I turned right] onto Main Street. ▪ a quick turn of her head — see also three-point turn, u-turn
▪ I think we took a wrong turn. [=(Brit) turning]
b : a place where a road, path, etc., changes direction
▪ There is a dangerous turn up ahead. ▪ The runners are coming down the straightaway and heading into the turn. ▪ The road through the mountains has many twists and turns. [=curves and frequent changes of direction]
▪ He did me a nasty turn. ▪ You have done me a few good turns, so now let me help you. ▪ One good turn deserves another. [=if someone does something nice for you, you should do something nice for that person]
▪ The actor makes frequent guest turns on the show. — see also star turn
at every turn
: in a constant or continuous way : each time a person tries to do something
▪ They opposed her at every turn.
▪ They opposed her at every turn.
by turns
— used to describe different things that happen one after another ▪ The book was praised and criticized by turns. ▪ The stories in the collection are, by turns, curious, tragic, disturbing, and heartening.
done to a turn
Brit : cooked, performed, etc., in a perfect way : done to perfection
▪ The chicken was done to a turn.
▪ The chicken was done to a turn.
in turn 1 : following one after another in a particular order
▪ Each witness in turn gave his or her version of what happened. ▪ The algae feeds the fish, which in turn become food for larger sea animals. 2 : as a result
▪ I supported him and expected that he, in turn, would support me.
▪ Each witness in turn gave his or her version of what happened. ▪ The algae feeds the fish, which in turn become food for larger sea animals.
▪ I supported him and expected that he, in turn, would support me.
on the turn
Brit : about to start changing
▪ The political situation in the country is on the turn.
▪ The political situation in the country is on the turn.
out of turn 1 : not at the time you are expected to do something according to a set order
▪ She rolled the dice out of turn. [=when it was not her turn] 2 : at a wrong or improper time or place
▪ Excuse me for speaking out of turn [=for speaking when it is not proper for me to speak], but I don't believe you are treating him fairly.
▪ She rolled the dice out of turn. [=when it was not her turn]
▪ Excuse me for speaking out of turn [=for speaking when it is not proper for me to speak], but I don't believe you are treating him fairly.
take turns also Brit take it in turns
◊If people take turns doing or using something or take it in turns to do or use something, they do or use it one after another in order to share the responsibility or opportunity of doing or using it.
▪ We take turns washing the dishes. ▪ The kids took turns on the swing.
▪ We take turns washing the dishes. ▪ The kids took turns on the swing.
the turn of the century
: the beginning of a new century
▪ We were discussing how Americans lived at the turn of the 19th/last century.
▪ We were discussing how Americans lived at the turn of the 19th/last century.
turn of mind
: a way of thinking
▪ He has a philosophical/inquiring turn of mind. ▪ Her turns of mind are revealed in her journals.
▪ He has a philosophical/inquiring turn of mind. ▪ Her turns of mind are revealed in her journals.
turn of phrase
: a way of saying or describing something
▪ a nice turn of phrase
▪ a nice turn of phrase
turn of speed
Brit : an increase in speed or progress
▪ The horse gave an impressive turn of speed.
▪ The horse gave an impressive turn of speed.
