Phrasal verbs with turn

When you think of the word "turn", you probably imagine something rotating or changing direction. This basic idea of movement and change runs through all the phrasal verbs with "turn", but the particles create fascinating patterns that will help you remember them.

The simplest group involves physical direction and control. Turn around and turn round both mean rotating to face the opposite way, whilst turn back means returning where you came from. With equipment, you turn on devices to start them and turn off to stop them. You turn up the volume to make it louder and turn down to make it quieter.

Many "turn" phrasal verbs express change and transformation. Something can turn into something completely different, like water turning into ice. Situations can turn out to be different from what you expected. Companies turn around failing businesses to make them successful again. People turn against friends when relationships change for the worse.

The idea of giving or refusing appears in several combinations. You turn down job offers you don't want, turn away people you won't let in, and turn in lost property to the police. When you need support, you turn to family or friends for help.

Notice how "turn" keeps its core meaning of change or movement, but each particle shapes that change in a specific direction or manner.