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turn

turn

259 3.4
A sudden change in a situation or story
  • noun
  • /tɜrn/
: 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
∞ 1.0

An event that happens suddenly and is not expected

is a sudden change specifically altering a situation or story
twist
vsturn
254 4.1

A sudden change in a story or situation that surprises people

is a sudden unexpected change but not only narrative surprises
leap
vsturn
177 3.2

A sudden big change or increase

is a sudden unexpected change but not necessarily a large jump
turning
vsturn
112 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
turning point
vsturn
110 3.7

A moment when an important event changes what happens next

is a sudden unexpected change, not only a pivotal moment
u-turn
vsturn
43 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
36 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
31 6.7

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

is a sudden change generally, not limited to public decisions
180
vsturn
  • Informal
21 4.4

A complete change of direction or opinion

can be a sudden change but also any unexpected shift, not only full reversals
switcheroo
vsturn
  • Slang
9 9.5

A sudden swap that surprises and tricks people

is a sudden unexpected change without implying trickery
turnabout
vsturn
9 6.0

A complete change to the opposite view or decision

is any sudden unexpected change, not necessarily to the opposite
4 4.2

A surprising event in a story that changes the expected outcome

is any sudden unexpected change, not limited to plot events
table-turning
vsturn
  • Informal
3 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
1 5.0

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

is any unexpected change, not only strategic shifts
peripeteia
vsturn
  • Literature
1 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
tournant
vsturn
1 9.9

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

is an unexpected sudden change, not only a critical milestone
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

Antonyms

283 3.1

Being steady and not likely to change

57 4.7

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

Idioms

235 3.3

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

42 3.5

Again and again in every situation

Choose to ignore something wrong

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

Choose not to fight back after someone hurts or insults you

To begin to get better after a difficult time

Cause a big change that makes things much better

to turn to stone
  • Literature
18 7.7

Become completely still and look like stone when frightened

Completely change the usual idea about something

17 5.2

To go back to an earlier time or wish you could

Make people see something in a very different way

8 6.8

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

6 7.2

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

5 9.3

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

A change that makes a situation better

Refuse to listen to someone who gives advice or warnings

to turn a phrase
  • Informal
3 6.8

Say something in a clever, attractive way

2 9.9

To have sex with a customer for money

1 8.4

To start crying to make someone feel sorry for you

Show no sign of worry, fear, or surprise

Help someone stop being sad and start smiling

An event that makes a tense or difficult situation worse

To be good enough for a purpose for a short time

1 7.7

Exactly the right amount or degree needed

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

To make you feel sick or disgusted

To give one side an advantage in a situation

To make big positive changes in your life after hard times

to execute a U-turn
  • Literature
1 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

8.6

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

Change which person or group you support for your own benefit

Make something good from pain or a bad situation

9.9

To use swear words, often when angry

Make a situation end the way you want

To change a situation completely and suddenly

To show you think something is not good enough

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

A big mistake that changes your plans or life

Compounds

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

43 3.2

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

turn-on
  • NSFW
38 8.2

Something that makes someone feel sexually excited or attracted

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

30 1.0

Moving a vehicle to the left while driving

turn-off
  • Informal
13 5.0

Something that makes a person lose interest or feel dislike

10 2.5

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

A clever way of saying something that people remember

5 2.2

An act of kindness done to help someone

star turn
  • Literature
3 6.4

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

about turn
  • Jargon
1 5.8

A complete change of direction or opinion, often sudden

left turn
  • Literature
1 5.8

Changing policies or views toward more left-wing ideas

1 2.3

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

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

1 8.2

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

1 6.8

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

1 8.1

An action meant to help that causes harm or trouble

A special way of saying something when speaking or writing

stem turn
  • Jargon
1 8.2

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

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 sudden change of plans, policy, or behaviour

9.9

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

9.9

A clever but tricky argument meant to confuse people

How Dramatic

upheaval
50 6.9
reversal
75 4.2
twist
254 4.1
turn
259 3.4
shift
355 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.