to turn (something) on its head
12
6.5
- idiom
- Informal
:
poner patas arriba
- Indeed, it would turn the Constitution on its head by allowing Congress effectively unlimited power.
- turning the theory on its head
So, so really I think, really I think what what Russell did was to turn the problem of consciousness on its head.
- So, so really I think, really I think what what Russell did was to turn the problem of consciousness on its head.
Examples
-
But recent major elections all over Europe have turned this norm on its head.
Blog text (1) -
Here, the distinction between good and bad governments is turned on its head.
Academic text (2009) -
The traditional concept of justice is sometimes turned on its head.
Academic text (2004) -
As one administrator stated, this is turning the system on its head, but in a good way.
Academic text (2015) -
What a magnificent way to turn history on its head!
Fiction book (1993) -
The publishing industry is being turned on its head by the poor economy and the internet.
Blog text (5) -
In the postmodern age, everything is turned on its head.
Academic text (1997) -
In the final quarter of the Travels, however, Swift turns their significance on its head.
Academic text (2016) -
A site of unbelievable artistry and intricate detail, Gbekli Tepe has turned this theory on its head.
Academic text (2008) -
Recent research has turned traditional views on climate change on its head, suggesting new strategies for mitigation.
Synonyms
66
4.9
To give something a new meaning that changes how people see it
55
6.6
Completely change something in a new and much better way
51
4.5
Cause a big sudden change that leaves people confused
14
4.8
Change the way you think about something to see it in a better way
10
5.8
To explain something again in a different way to give it a new meaning
5
5.0
Change something completely so it becomes very different
1
7.1
Completely change what people think about something
1
8.1
To think about something in a new way
Completely change the usual idea about something
To place something in a new context so people see it differently
To change a situation completely and suddenly
Antonyms
How Radical
55
6.6
- Formal
122
5.6
- Informal
12
6.5
14
4.8
10
5.8
227
3.7
Surface Forms
Morphology
turn + (something) + on + its + head
The image of physically turning something 'on its head' makes a metaphorical link to inverting or reversing, so a learner who knows 'turn' and 'head' can plausibly infer a sense of reversal or strong change. However, the conventionalized nuance — ‘completely change the way something is understood or approached’ — is metaphorical and somewhat idiomatic, so the full pragmatic meaning may not be fully predictable to a B1 learner without prior exposure.
Etymology
The idiom turn (something) on its head comes from the simple picture of taking an object and turning it so its head points down. When you do that you see it in a very new way, so the phrase means 'to completely change the usual way people think about something'.