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turn

turn

343 3.4
A sudden change in a situation or story
  • noun
  • /tɜrn/
translation icon : giro
  • Ultimately, in spite of the twists and turns in the discourse, Frank and Bea achieve a unified statement.
  • a turn of events
  • an unexpected turn
  • twists and turns

Most don't ever have the big turn around moment, right?

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Examples

  • Here's an unusual turn of events in Virginia.

  • Events take a tragic turn in August '74...

  • Wow, quite a turn from the yes we can days.

  • Then, things really took a turn when Pop came to visit.

  • Today is taking quite the turn for awful weather.

  • I was minding my own business when my life took the oddest of turns.

  • The recession caused sluggish consumer spending, which in turn caused a slowdown in manufacturing production.

    Academic text (2017)
  • Outsider resentment came hand in hand with a turn toward a more proprietary local government.

    Academic text (2017)
  • The unexpected turn in the storyline left the audience in shock.

  • After the scandal, the company's fortunes took a surprising turn for the worse.

Synonyms

surprise
vsturn
738 1.0

An event that happens suddenly and is not expected

is a sudden change specifically altering a situation or story
twist
vsturn
232 4.1

A sudden change in a story or situation that surprises people

is a sudden unexpected change but not only narrative surprises
turning
vsturn
152 4.4

A change in the usual way of doing things in a group or organization

is an unexpected or sudden change rather than routine adjustment
leap
vsturn
131 3.2

A sudden big change or increase

is a sudden unexpected change but not necessarily a large jump
turning point
vsturn
104 3.7

A moment when an important event changes what happens next

is a sudden unexpected change, not only a pivotal moment
35 4.1

A sudden change in a situation that makes plans or results different

is a sudden change but can apply beyond sequences of events
flip-flop
vsturn
  • Literature
12 6.7

A sudden change in opinion or policy that reverses an earlier decision

is a sudden change generally, not limited to public decisions
turnabout
vsturn
10 6.0

A complete change to the opposite view or decision

is any sudden unexpected change, not necessarily to the opposite
switcheroo
vsturn
  • Slang
9 9.5

A sudden swap that surprises and tricks people

is a sudden unexpected change without implying trickery
2 4.2

A surprising event in a story that changes the expected outcome

is any sudden unexpected change, not limited to plot events
180
vsturn
  • Informal
1 4.4

A complete change of direction or opinion

can be a sudden change but also any unexpected shift, not only full reversals
peripeteia
vsturn
  • Literature
9.9

A sudden change in a story when a character's luck turns bad

is a sudden change more general than the literary reversal meaning
coup de théâtre
vsturn
  • Literature
9.9

A sudden dramatic twist in a play or story that surprises the audience

covers sudden changes broadly, not only theatrical shocks
handbrake turn
vsturn
  • UK
6.8

A sudden change of plans, policy, or behaviour

is any sudden unexpected change, not always a full reversal
u-turn
vsturn
3.2

A complete turn to go the opposite way, like a car on the road

is an unexpected change that is not necessarily a full reversal
table-turning
vsturn
  • Informal
7.0

A sudden change that gives the other side the advantage

is an unexpected change more generally, not focused on advantage shifts
gear shift
vsturn
5.0

A sudden change in plan or way of doing things to improve results

is any unexpected change, not only strategic shifts
tournant
vsturn
9.9

A time when an important change happens in a story or process

is an unexpected sudden change, not only a critical milestone

Antonyms

363 3.1

Being steady and not likely to change

52 4.7

A situation where things stay the same or keep happening without big changes

Idioms

245 3.3

Happening one after another or as a result of what happened before

Choose to ignore something wrong

38 3.5

Again and again in every situation

To make big positive changes in your life after hard times

Choose not to fight back after someone hurts or insults you

To change a situation so you get the advantage over someone who had it before

Cause a big change that makes things much better

To begin to get better after a difficult time

Make people see something in a very different way

11 9.9

To have sex with a customer for money

11 5.2

To go back to an earlier time or wish you could

to turn to stone
  • Literature
10 7.7

Become completely still and look like stone when frightened

To make you feel sick or disgusted

Refuse to listen to someone who gives advice or warnings

To leave quickly by suddenly walking away because you are angry or shocked

A change that makes a situation better

3 7.2

To turn quickly in a very small space, like a car

To show you think something is not good enough

to turn a phrase
  • Informal
2 6.8

Say something in a clever, attractive way

1 8.6

To think a dead person is very upset because something goes against what they cared about

1 6.8

A situation that becomes noisy, messy, and out of control

1 8.4

To start crying to make someone feel sorry for you

To be good enough for a purpose for a short time

1 7.7

Exactly the right amount or degree needed

Help someone stop being sad and start smiling

Show no sign of worry, fear, or surprise

1 9.3

You have to go home or go to bed because it is very late

1 9.9

A big mistake that changes your plans or life

to execute a U-turn
  • Literature
5.3

Change a plan or decision so the opposite happens

7.8

Make a good amount of money from business or sales

Make good money from a business or activity

To become red in the face when you feel embarrassed

9.9

To suddenly become chaotic and very messy

An event that makes a tense or difficult situation worse

Change which person or group you support for your own benefit

Completely change the usual idea about something

Make something good from pain or a bad situation

9.9

To use swear words, often when angry

To give one side an advantage in a situation

Make a situation end the way you want

To change a situation completely and suddenly

turn up to bat
  • Informal
7.7

A chance to speak or act after others have had theirs

Change opinions often to fit new people or situations

Compounds

A period of years around the start of a new century, about ten years before and after

A sudden change in a situation that makes plans or results different

turn-on
  • NSFW
14 8.2

Something that makes someone feel sexually excited or attracted

14 1.0

Moving a vehicle to the left while driving

A clever way of saying something that people remember

7 2.5

A flashing light on a vehicle that shows which way the driver will turn or change lanes

turn-off
  • Informal
5 5.0

Something that makes a person lose interest or feel dislike

5 2.2

An act of kindness done to help someone

left turn
  • Literature
2 5.8

Changing policies or views toward more left-wing ideas

star turn
  • Literature
2 6.4

A very good performance by an actor or entertainer that gets special attention

A driving move that turns a car around in a small space

about turn
  • Jargon
1 5.8

A complete change of direction or opinion, often sudden

1 8.2

A skiing move where you lift one ski and turn to go the other way while standing

1 2.3

A blinking light on a car that shows which way it will turn

A large number of people who come to an event

ampere-turn
  • Specialized
7.3

A unit for magnet strength that one ampere of current produces in one loop of wire

A driving move where the driver pulls the handbrake so the rear wheels slide and the car turns sharply

A sudden change of plans, policy, or behaviour

9.9

A change to a more negative view of people as selfish and violent

8.1

An action meant to help that causes harm or trouble

9.9

A clever but tricky argument meant to confuse people

stem turn
  • Jargon
8.2

A skiing turn where you push the tail of one ski out to slow and change direction

A special way of saying something when speaking or writing

3.2

A complete turn to go the opposite way, like a car on the road

How Dramatic

upheaval
51 6.9
reversal
25 4.2
twist
232 4.1
turn
343 3.4
shift
363 3.5
change
1.1

Surface Forms

turn singular
turns plural

Etymology

Turn for an unexpected change comes from the picture of a road that suddenly bends, so a 'turn' of events is a sudden change in how things happen.