Phrasal Verbs with “turn”
"Turn" makes some of the most useful everyday phrasal verbs — for switching things on and off, arriving, and changing. Here are the common ones, each with a meaning and an example.
Tip
"Turn down" means both reject (turn down an offer) and lower (turn down the music) — the object tells you which.
9 phrasal verbs with “turn”
turn on
to start a device or switch; or to attack someone suddenly.
“Turn on the lights, please.”
turn off
to stop a device or switch; or to make someone lose interest.
“Don't forget to turn off the TV.”
turn up
to arrive, often unexpectedly; or to increase the volume.
“He turned up an hour late.”
turn down
to refuse or reject; or to lower the volume.
“She turned down the job offer.”
turn out
to happen in the end; or to attend; or to produce.
“It turned out to be a wonderful day.”
turn into
to become or change into something.
“The rain turned into snow.”
turn over
to flip something; or to think about carefully; or (of an engine) to start.
“Turn over the page and continue.”
turn around
to face the other way; or to improve after a bad period.
“The business turned around after new management.”
turn back
to return the way you came.
“It got too dark, so we turned back.”
Frequently asked
Does "turn down" mean refuse or lower?
Both. "Turn down a job" means refuse it; "turn down the volume" means lower it. The object makes the meaning clear.
What's the difference between "turn up" and "show up"?
For arriving, they're the same — both mean to appear, often unexpectedly. "Turn up" also means to increase volume, which "show up" does not.