star turn
2
6.4
- noun
- Literature
:
actuación estelar
- Indeed, a rainbow of presenters is taking the stage during the three-day event, including Democratic convert Artur Davis, Utah congressional hopeful Mia Love, who spoke on Tuesday night, and former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, set for her star turn Wednesday night during prime time.
- took a star turn
- made a star turn
Examples
-
If Obama got a big lead coming out of his star turn in the Middle East and Europe, he could well, as one McCain advisor put it, "float beyond our reach."
Blog text (6) -
It has big stars delivering solid movie-star turns and noted character actors making themselves noticed.
Blog text (16) -
You're going to see all Stone pillow Lucy when she did her star turn as a homeless person.
-
A star turn
Blog text (7) -
He was nervous getting a star turn in the Broadway musical "Bye Bye Birdie."
Blog text (32) -
He knew he was going to hear that monologue again as a star turn at one of Audie's famous dinner parties.
Fiction book (1992) -
While Sonya Tolstoy's role as countess amounted to a star turn, in nearly every other widow of a famous writer, one can detect similar dramatic instincts.
Academic text (1990) -
Then he did a star turn as independent Metis trader James Sinclair, crashing a Hudson's Bay Company party in order to present his beautiful young daughter, attired in a New York ball gown and long gloves.
Academic text (2013) -
However, Gary stressed just how much a real trouper owes to loyal fans, so Signora Pitti compromised, converting what had once been a star turn into a comedy routine.
Fiction book (1997) -
Her performance in the play was a real star turn that captivated the audience.
Synonyms
21
3.8
A person or thing much more impressive than others in a group
7
5.7
Something very impressive that makes people stop and look
How Impressive
- Literature
7
8.0
- Literature
2
6.4
18
4.2
525
3.0
637
2.5
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'an outstanding performance' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'star' (a celebrated performer) with 'turn' (a performer's slot), implying a performance by a star or a notably impressive slot. This noun+noun compositional pattern is common and predictable in English, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents and the performance context should be able to infer the meaning.
Etymology
The noun star turn comes from stage shows where a performer's turn, their short time on stage, is so bright it makes them a star to the audience. That's why star turn now means 'an especially impressive performance'.