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turn of events

turn of events

35 4.1
A sudden change in a situation that makes plans or results different
  • noun
translation icon : giro de los acontecimientos
  • Her sudden decision to move abroad marked a significant turn of events in her life.
  • dramatic turn of events
  • latest turn of events

This is this is a horrible turn of events.

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Examples

  • Consequently, little change can be expected short of a dramatic and unexpected turn of events.

    Academic text (1997)
  • It's an astonishing turn of events.

  • This is quite a turn of events.

  • What you are seeing here is a sad turn of events indeed.

  • A new turn of events will soon come about.

  • What a turn of events!

  • What an extraordinary turn of events.

  • And then in a turn of events, we lost everything and it was pretty devastating.

  • But I was also stimulated by the turn of events that my friend's life had taken.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Caught completely off guard by this sudden turn of events, he was befuddled.

    Fiction book (2001)

Synonyms

turn
vsturn of events
343 3.4

A sudden change in a situation or story

is the general idea of an unexpected or significant change
twist
vsturn of events
232 4.1

A sudden change in a story or situation that surprises people

is any sudden or significant change in a situation or sequence
turning
vsturn of events
152 4.4

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

is broader, covering any unexpected or significant change beyond practices or policies
leap
vsturn of events
131 3.2

A sudden big change or increase

is about any unexpected or significant change, not specifically increases or transitions
turning point
vsturn of events
104 3.7

A moment when an important event changes what happens next

is any unexpected or significant change, not only a decisive moment
switcheroo
vsturn of events
  • Slang
9 9.5

A sudden swap that surprises and tricks people

is an unexpected or significant change without implying deception or exchange
pivotal point
vsturn of events
2 4.9

A moment when an important change happens or people make a key decision

is the wider idea of an unexpected or significant change, not only critical moments
unexpected twist
vsturn of events
2 4.2

A surprising event in a story that changes the expected outcome

is the broader notion of an unexpected or significant change in events
peripeteia
vsturn of events
  • Literature
9.9

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

is similar but applies to any unexpected or significant change outside literature
coup de theatre
vsturn of events
  • Literature
9.9

A sudden dramatic surprise in a play or story that shocks the audience

is the general unexpected change not limited to dramatic or theatrical use
table-turning
vsturn of events
  • Informal
7.0

A sudden change that gives the other side the advantage

is any unexpected or significant change without focusing on advantage shifts
tournant
vsturn of events
9.9

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

is the same basic change idea but phrased as the general concept

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

How Significant

upheaval
51 6.9
turn of events
35 4.1
reversal
25 4.2
change
1.1
shift
363 3.5

Surface Forms

Morphology

turn + of + event

The meaning is directly compositional: 'turn' (a change) + 'of' (linking) + 'events' (occurrences) yields 'a change in events', so the phrase denotes a change in the course of events. This straightforward noun + of + noun pattern is common across languages and follows regular English composition, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words would readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

The phrase turn of events paints a picture of a line of events like a road that suddenly turns. That's why it means 'an unexpected or important change'.