1turn 
/ˈtɚn/ verb
turns; turned; turn·ing /ˈtɚn/ verb 1 : to move around a central point [no obj] ▪ The Earth turns [=rotates, revolves] on its axis. — often + around ▪ We spun the top and watched it turn around in circles. [+ obj] ▪ He turned the key and opened the door. ▪ She slowly turned the doorknob. ▪ Turn the steering wheel all the way to the left. ▪ Someone turned the switch and the lights came on. 2 a : to cause your body or a part of your body to face a different direction [no obj] ▪ They turned and walked away. ▪ She turned to leave—but stopped. ▪ She turned (around) to look at me. ▪ They turned (away) from the gruesome sight. ▪ He turned aside/sideways to let me pass. ▪ The patient turned onto his side. ▪ The photographer asked her to turn slightly to her/the left. [+ obj] ▪ He turned himself around to see the back of his shirt in the mirror. ▪ She turned her face away from the camera.
b : to cause (something or a side of something) to face an opposite or different direction [+ obj] ▪ Turn the picture (around) so that I can see it. ▪ I think you should turn [=flip] the pancakes now. ▪ Turn the page (over). ▪ The tag says to turn the shirt inside out before washing it. ▪ He turned up/down the collar of his jacket. ▪ Before planting the seeds, she turned the soil. [=brought lower levels of soil to the surface by digging] [no obj] ▪ The plant's leaves had turned toward the window. 3 a : to move in a particular direction and especially toward the left or right [no obj] ▪ A car turned into the driveway. ▪ He ran down the street and turned toward the park. ▪ Turn left at the next intersection. ▪ Turn right onto Main Street. ▪ Turn here. [+ obj] ▪ He turned the light in the direction of the noise. ▪ She turned the car into the driveway. ▪ The bicyclists turned the corner [=they rode around the corner] at full speed.
b [no obj] : to begin to go in a different direction
▪ The road turns sharply to the right up ahead. ▪ The river turns east for a few miles and then continues south.
c [no obj] of a tide : to begin to move in the opposite direction
▪ We're waiting for the tide to turn. 4 : to change into a different state or form [no obj] ▪ The leaves turn [=they change color] in the fall. ▪ The milk has turned. [=it has become sour] ▪ His luck turned, and he lost all his winnings. — often + into or to ▪ The argument quickly turned into a fistfight. ▪ The sofa can turn into a bed. ▪ He has seen his little girl turn into a bright, beautiful woman. ▪ Water turns to ice at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. ▪ Her cereal had turned to mush. [+ obj] — often + into or to ▪ The witch turned the prince into a frog. ▪ The studio plans to turn the book into a movie. ▪ There are plans to turn the old school into an apartment building. ▪ The cold weather turned the water to ice. ▪ Her stare, it was said, could turn men to stone. 5 a [linking verb] : to change to a different state, condition, etc. : become
▪ The milk has turned sour. ▪ The weather turned cold overnight. ▪ His hair was beginning to turn gray. ▪ She turned red with embarrassment. ▪ It was beginning to turn dark outside. ▪ an actress turned director [=an actress who became a director] ▪ Two of his teammates have decided to turn pro. [=to become professional athletes] ▪ She was a spy who turned traitor [=became a traitor] and gave secret information to the enemy.
b [+ obj] : to cause (someone or something) to change in a specified way
▪ A drought would turn things from bad to worse for the farmers. ▪ The events of his life had turned [=made] him bitter. ▪ The sun turned her skin (a) golden brown.
c [linking verb] : to reach a particular age
▪ She turned two years old last week. ▪ He moved away from home when he turned 20. 6 [+ obj] : to change the volume, temperature, channel, etc., of (something) by pressing a button, moving a switch, etc.
▪ Turn the TV to channel 4. ▪ He turned the oven to 400 degrees. ▪ The lights in the room had been turned low. — see also turn down (below), turn up (below) 7 [+ obj] : to direct (your thoughts, attention, etc.) toward or away from something : to start or stop thinking about or paying attention to someone or something
▪ He turned his thoughts to home. [=he began to think of home] ▪ She turned her attention to the child. ▪ I could not turn my mind away from the idea. ▪ Their efforts were turned to defending the country's borders. 8 [+ obj] : to earn (a profit)
▪ He turned a quick profit. ▪ (chiefly Brit) people looking to turn a penny or two [=to earn a profit] 9 [+ obj] : to perform (a particular action)
▪ The team turned a double play to end the inning. ▪ She learned how to turn a cartwheel. ▪ They were living on the streets and turning tricks [=taking money for sex] to survive. 10 [+ obj] : to form (a sentence, phrase, etc.) in a particular way
▪ perfectly turned phrases ▪ He knows how to turn a sentence. 11 [+ obj] : to injure (your ankle) by moving it in an unnatural way
▪ She turned [=twisted] her ankle during the game. 12 [+ obj] : to create or shape (something) from a piece of wood or metal by using a special machine (called a lathe)
▪ turn a set of table legs
b : to cause (something or a side of something) to face an opposite or different direction [+ obj] ▪ Turn the picture (around) so that I can see it. ▪ I think you should turn [=flip] the pancakes now. ▪ Turn the page (over). ▪ The tag says to turn the shirt inside out before washing it. ▪ He turned up/down the collar of his jacket. ▪ Before planting the seeds, she turned the soil. [=brought lower levels of soil to the surface by digging] [no obj] ▪ The plant's leaves had turned toward the window.
b [no obj] : to begin to go in a different direction
▪ The road turns sharply to the right up ahead. ▪ The river turns east for a few miles and then continues south.
c [no obj] of a tide : to begin to move in the opposite direction
▪ We're waiting for the tide to turn.
▪ The milk has turned sour. ▪ The weather turned cold overnight. ▪ His hair was beginning to turn gray. ▪ She turned red with embarrassment. ▪ It was beginning to turn dark outside. ▪ an actress turned director [=an actress who became a director] ▪ Two of his teammates have decided to turn pro. [=to become professional athletes] ▪ She was a spy who turned traitor [=became a traitor] and gave secret information to the enemy.
b [+ obj] : to cause (someone or something) to change in a specified way
▪ A drought would turn things from bad to worse for the farmers. ▪ The events of his life had turned [=made] him bitter. ▪ The sun turned her skin (a) golden brown.
c [linking verb] : to reach a particular age
▪ She turned two years old last week. ▪ He moved away from home when he turned 20.
▪ Turn the TV to channel 4. ▪ He turned the oven to 400 degrees. ▪ The lights in the room had been turned low. — see also turn down (below), turn up (below)
▪ He turned his thoughts to home. [=he began to think of home] ▪ She turned her attention to the child. ▪ I could not turn my mind away from the idea. ▪ Their efforts were turned to defending the country's borders.
▪ He turned a quick profit. ▪ (chiefly Brit) people looking to turn a penny or two [=to earn a profit]
▪ The team turned a double play to end the inning. ▪ She learned how to turn a cartwheel. ▪ They were living on the streets and turning tricks [=taking money for sex] to survive.
▪ perfectly turned phrases ▪ He knows how to turn a sentence.
▪ She turned [=twisted] her ankle during the game.
▪ turn a set of table legs
turn against [phrasal verb] 1 a turn against (someone or something) : to stop supporting or being friendly to (someone or something)
▪ The senator eventually turned against the war. ▪ She turned against her best friend.
b turn (someone) against (someone) : to cause (someone) to stop being friendly toward (someone)
▪ He tried to turn our friends against us. 2 turn (something) against (someone) : to use (something) in a way that harms (someone)
▪ She started turning my argument against me. ▪ He tried to turn her many years of experience in Washington against her. [=tried to persuade people that her experience was not a good thing]
▪ The senator eventually turned against the war. ▪ She turned against her best friend.
b turn (someone) against (someone) : to cause (someone) to stop being friendly toward (someone)
▪ He tried to turn our friends against us.
▪ She started turning my argument against me. ▪ He tried to turn her many years of experience in Washington against her. [=tried to persuade people that her experience was not a good thing]
turn around or chiefly Brit turn round [phrasal verb] 1 turn around or turn around (something) or turn (something) around : to cause a vehicle to travel in the opposite direction
▪ We turned around in someone's driveway. ▪ She turned the car around and drove back home. 2 a : to change and become better or more successful
▪ Recently, the company has turned around, and it should have a profitable year. ▪ The economy should turn around soon.
b turn around (something) or turn (something) around : to change (something) in a way that makes it better or more successful
▪ The new CEO has really turned the company around in the past year. ▪ You need to turn your life around before it's too late. 3 turn around and (do something) informal : to act in an unexpected or surprising way by doing (something specified)
▪ He just turned around and left school. [=he just suddenly left school] ▪ You can't turn around and say that you don't want to go. I already bought the tickets! — see also turnaround
▪ We turned around in someone's driveway. ▪ She turned the car around and drove back home.
▪ Recently, the company has turned around, and it should have a profitable year. ▪ The economy should turn around soon.
b turn around (something) or turn (something) around : to change (something) in a way that makes it better or more successful
▪ The new CEO has really turned the company around in the past year. ▪ You need to turn your life around before it's too late.
▪ He just turned around and left school. [=he just suddenly left school] ▪ You can't turn around and say that you don't want to go. I already bought the tickets! — see also turnaround
turn away [phrasal verb]
turn away (someone) or turn (someone) away : to refuse to allow (someone) to enter a place
▪ All the seats were sold and a large crowd had to be turned away. ▪ The homeless shelter will not turn away people in need. ▪ We turn away hundreds of applicants each year.
▪ All the seats were sold and a large crowd had to be turned away. ▪ The homeless shelter will not turn away people in need. ▪ We turn away hundreds of applicants each year.
turn back [phrasal verb] 1 a : to move in the opposite direction in order to return to a place
▪ The sun is setting. It's time to turn back. ▪ It's too late to turn back. We have to keep going.
b : to return to an earlier place or time
▪ Turn back to the first page. ▪ Once you start the process, there's no turning back. [=you must continue the process] 2 turn back (someone or something) or turn (someone or something) back a : to force (someone or something) to move in an opposite direction
▪ They fought to turn back the enemy. ▪ If I could turn back (the hands of) time [=return to a condition that existed in the past], I would.
b : to force (someone or something) to return to a place
▪ The refugees were turned back at the border.
▪ The sun is setting. It's time to turn back. ▪ It's too late to turn back. We have to keep going.
b : to return to an earlier place or time
▪ Turn back to the first page. ▪ Once you start the process, there's no turning back. [=you must continue the process]
▪ They fought to turn back the enemy. ▪ If I could turn back (the hands of) time [=return to a condition that existed in the past], I would.
b : to force (someone or something) to return to a place
▪ The refugees were turned back at the border.
turn down [phrasal verb] 1 turn down (something) or turn (something) down : to lower the volume, temperature, etc., of something by pressing a button, moving a switch, etc.
▪ Please turn down the heat. ▪ The lights in the restaurant were turned down low. ▪ He turned the volume down on the TV. = He turned down the TV. ▪ Turn the oven down to 325 degrees. — see also 1turn 6 (above) 2 turn down (something) or turn (something) down : to fold (something) down or back
▪ She turned down the bedsheets. ▪ He turned down the corner of the page. 3 turn down (someone or something) or turn (someone or something) down : to say no to (someone or something) especially in a polite way
▪ She turned the offer down. ▪ They turned down our invitation. ▪ I asked her out , but she turned me down.
▪ Please turn down the heat. ▪ The lights in the restaurant were turned down low. ▪ He turned the volume down on the TV. = He turned down the TV. ▪ Turn the oven down to 325 degrees. — see also 1turn 6 (above)
▪ She turned down the bedsheets. ▪ He turned down the corner of the page.
▪ She turned the offer down. ▪ They turned down our invitation. ▪ I asked her out , but she turned me down.
turn in [phrasal verb] 1 : to enter a place by turning from a road or path
▪ Here's the house. You can turn in up there. 2 : to go to bed
▪ It's time to turn in. 3 turn (something) in or turn in (something) a chiefly US : to give (something) to a person who will review or accept it
▪ He turned in [=handed in] his application/resignation yesterday. ▪ Students should turn their papers in on Thursday.
b : to return (something that you have borrowed, found, etc.)
▪ Please turn in [=return] the art supplies when you are finished with them. ▪ She found a set of keys and turned them in to the secretary at the front desk. ▪ Has anyone turned in a wallet recently? ▪ The suspended officer was asked to turn in his badge and gun.
c : to perform or produce (something)
▪ She turned in [=gave] a fine performance. ▪ The company has turned in a healthy profit for the third year running. 4 turn (someone) in a : to give control of (someone) to the police or some other authority
▪ His own parents brought him to the police station and turned him in. ▪ The escaped prisoner turned himself in (to the police). [=he went to the police and allowed himself to be arrested]
b : to give information about the location of (someone who has committed a crime) to the police or some other authority
▪ His girlfriend threatened to turn him in.
▪ Here's the house. You can turn in up there.
▪ It's time to turn in.
▪ He turned in [=handed in] his application/resignation yesterday. ▪ Students should turn their papers in on Thursday.
b : to return (something that you have borrowed, found, etc.)
▪ Please turn in [=return] the art supplies when you are finished with them. ▪ She found a set of keys and turned them in to the secretary at the front desk. ▪ Has anyone turned in a wallet recently? ▪ The suspended officer was asked to turn in his badge and gun.
c : to perform or produce (something)
▪ She turned in [=gave] a fine performance. ▪ The company has turned in a healthy profit for the third year running.
▪ His own parents brought him to the police station and turned him in. ▪ The escaped prisoner turned himself in (to the police). [=he went to the police and allowed himself to be arrested]
b : to give information about the location of (someone who has committed a crime) to the police or some other authority
▪ His girlfriend threatened to turn him in.
turn loose — see let loose at 1loose
turn off [phrasal verb] 1 : to go in a direction that moves you away from a straight course or main road
▪ They turned off onto the wrong road. ▪ Turn off at the next exit. 2 turn off (something) or turn (something) off : to stop the operation or flow of (something) by pressing a button, moving a switch, etc.
▪ She turned off the alarm/heat/lights/water. ▪ Should I leave the TV on or turn it off? 3 turn (someone) off or turn off (someone) informal : to cause a strong feeling of dislike in (someone) : to be unappealing to (someone)
▪ People who smoke turn me off. — see also turnoff
▪ They turned off onto the wrong road. ▪ Turn off at the next exit.
▪ She turned off the alarm/heat/lights/water. ▪ Should I leave the TV on or turn it off?
▪ People who smoke turn me off. — see also turnoff
turn on [phrasal verb] 1 turn on (something) or turn (something) on : to cause (something) to work or flow by pressing a button, moving a switch, etc.
▪ She turned on the lights/computer/radio/water. ▪ We turned on the heat in the house. — often used figuratively ▪ He really knows how to turn on the charm. [=knows how to be charming] ▪ She turned the tears on [=she started crying] to get their sympathy. 2 turn (someone) on or turn on (someone) informal : to cause (someone) to feel excitement or enjoyment : to be appealing to (someone)
▪ What kind of music turns you on? — see also turn-on 3 turn (someone) on to (something) : to cause (someone) to use or become interested in (something) for the first time
▪ She turned him on to water-skiing. ▪ He was turned on to cocaine by an acquaintance. 4 turn on (someone or something) : to attack or criticize (someone or something) in a sudden or unexpected way
▪ The dog suddenly turned on its owner. ▪ The rock star's fans began to turn on him. 5 turn on/upon (something) a : to be determined or decided by (something)
▪ The outcome of the election turns on [=depends on] how well the candidates perform in the next debate.
b : to have (something) as a main subject or interest
▪ The discussion turned on the question of how the money should be spent. 6 turn (something) on (someone or something) : to use (something, such as a weapon) to harm, stop, or kill (someone or something)
▪ Fire hoses were turned on the protesters. ▪ He killed three people before turning the gun on himself. [=before shooting himself]
▪ She turned on the lights/computer/radio/water. ▪ We turned on the heat in the house. — often used figuratively ▪ He really knows how to turn on the charm. [=knows how to be charming] ▪ She turned the tears on [=she started crying] to get their sympathy.
▪ What kind of music turns you on? — see also turn-on
▪ She turned him on to water-skiing. ▪ He was turned on to cocaine by an acquaintance.
▪ The dog suddenly turned on its owner. ▪ The rock star's fans began to turn on him.
▪ The outcome of the election turns on [=depends on] how well the candidates perform in the next debate.
b : to have (something) as a main subject or interest
▪ The discussion turned on the question of how the money should be spent.
▪ Fire hoses were turned on the protesters. ▪ He killed three people before turning the gun on himself. [=before shooting himself]
turn out [phrasal verb] 1 : to leave your home in order to participate in or do something
▪ Few people turned out for the election. ▪ Few people turned out to vote. — see also turnout 1 2 a : to happen, end, or develop in a particular way
▪ Despite some initial difficulties, everything turned out well. ▪ Things don't always turn out the way you want them to. ▪ As it/things turned out, I didn't need an umbrella after all.
b turn out to be (something) — used to say that something or someone eventually becomes something or is found to have a particular identity, quality, ability, etc. ▪ The play turned out to be a success. ▪ The animal in the bushes turned out to be a cat. ▪ I hope I turn out to be right.
c turn out like (someone or something) : to become like (someone or something)
▪ He didn't want to turn out like his father. ▪ Nobody thought it would ever turn out like this. 3 turn out (something) or turn (something) out a : to cause (something) to face or point outward
▪ She turned her feet out and bent down. ▪ He stood with his feet turned out.
b : to cause (a lamp, flashlight, etc.) to no longer produce light by pushing a button, moving a switch, etc.
▪ Who turned out the lights?
c : to produce (something)
▪ The factory turns out parts for car engines. ▪ They turn out a new CD almost every year.
d : to cause (something, such as a pocket) to become inside out
▪ He turned out his pockets to show that they were empty.
e : to empty the contents of (something) especially for cleaning or organizing
▪ She turned out the drawer. ▪ He turned out the closet in search of his baseball glove. 4 turn (someone) out or turn out (someone) a : to force (someone) to leave a place or position
▪ The landlord turned them out from/of the apartment for not paying the rent. ▪ Voters are unhappy with the governor and want to turn her out.
b : to dress (yourself or someone else) in a careful or fancy way — usually (be) turned out ▪ a handsomely turned out gentleman ▪ She was turned out in a beautiful blue gown.
▪ Few people turned out for the election. ▪ Few people turned out to vote. — see also turnout 1
▪ Despite some initial difficulties, everything turned out well. ▪ Things don't always turn out the way you want them to. ▪ As it/things turned out, I didn't need an umbrella after all.
b turn out to be (something) — used to say that something or someone eventually becomes something or is found to have a particular identity, quality, ability, etc. ▪ The play turned out to be a success. ▪ The animal in the bushes turned out to be a cat. ▪ I hope I turn out to be right.
c turn out like (someone or something) : to become like (someone or something)
▪ He didn't want to turn out like his father. ▪ Nobody thought it would ever turn out like this.
▪ She turned her feet out and bent down. ▪ He stood with his feet turned out.
b : to cause (a lamp, flashlight, etc.) to no longer produce light by pushing a button, moving a switch, etc.
▪ Who turned out the lights?
c : to produce (something)
▪ The factory turns out parts for car engines. ▪ They turn out a new CD almost every year.
d : to cause (something, such as a pocket) to become inside out
▪ He turned out his pockets to show that they were empty.
e : to empty the contents of (something) especially for cleaning or organizing
▪ She turned out the drawer. ▪ He turned out the closet in search of his baseball glove.
▪ The landlord turned them out from/of the apartment for not paying the rent. ▪ Voters are unhappy with the governor and want to turn her out.
b : to dress (yourself or someone else) in a careful or fancy way — usually (be) turned out ▪ a handsomely turned out gentleman ▪ She was turned out in a beautiful blue gown.
turn over [phrasal verb] 1 a : to move and face the opposite direction
▪ She turned over (in bed) to see what time it was. ▪ The kayak turned over in the rapids. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ (Brit) The boat ride turned over my stomach.
b turn over (someone or something) or turn (someone or something) over : to cause (someone or something) to face the opposite direction
▪ If you turn the paper over, you will find more math problems. ▪ He turned over the baby onto her back. 2 of an engine : to start to work
▪ The engine would not turn over. 3 turn over (something) or turn (something) over a : to earn (a particular amount of money)
▪ The store has been turning over $1,000 a week.
b US, sports : to allow the other team to get possession of (a ball)
▪ The quarterback has turned the ball over three times. — see also turnover 4 4 turn (someone or something) over to (someone) or turn over (someone or something) to (someone) : to give the control or responsibility of (someone or something) to (someone)
▪ I am turning the job over to you. [=I am giving you the job] ▪ He turned the property over to his niece. ▪ The case has been turned over to the district attorney. ▪ The suspect was turned over to the police on Wednesday. 5 turn (something) over to (something) or turn over (something) to (something) : to change the use of (something, such as land or a building)
▪ She plans to turn over the land to growing wheat and barley. 6 turn over (something) in your mind or turn (something) over in your mind : to think about (something) in order to understand it or make a decision
▪ She kept turning over the problem in her mind, trying to find a solution. 7 chiefly Brit : to change the channel on a television set
▪ Turn over to channel 7. 8 turn over (a place) or turn (a place) over Brit slang : to make a mess of (a place) while robbing it
▪ The shop has been turned over three times in the last year.
▪ She turned over (in bed) to see what time it was. ▪ The kayak turned over in the rapids. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ (Brit) The boat ride turned over my stomach.
b turn over (someone or something) or turn (someone or something) over : to cause (someone or something) to face the opposite direction
▪ If you turn the paper over, you will find more math problems. ▪ He turned over the baby onto her back.
▪ The engine would not turn over.
▪ The store has been turning over $1,000 a week.
b US, sports : to allow the other team to get possession of (a ball)
▪ The quarterback has turned the ball over three times. — see also turnover 4
▪ I am turning the job over to you. [=I am giving you the job] ▪ He turned the property over to his niece. ▪ The case has been turned over to the district attorney. ▪ The suspect was turned over to the police on Wednesday.
▪ She plans to turn over the land to growing wheat and barley.
▪ She kept turning over the problem in her mind, trying to find a solution.
▪ Turn over to channel 7.
▪ The shop has been turned over three times in the last year.
turn to [phrasal verb] 1 turn to (someone or something) : to go to (someone or something) for support, information, etc.
▪ I was all alone and had no one to turn to. ▪ She became depressed and turned to drugs. [=began using drugs] — often + for ▪ She turned to a friend for help. ▪ He turned to the employment agency for support. ▪ Turn to [=refer to] the handout for the exact figures. 2 turn to (something) a : to become involved in or with (something)
▪ He turned to a life of crime. ▪ She sang rock music before turning to the blues.
b : to begin to deal with (something different) as a topic
▪ The conversation eventually turned to politics. ▪ We should turn to the next item on the list.
c : to turn the pages of a book, magazine, etc., until you have reached the desired or specified page
▪ She turned ahead to the third chapter. ▪ Please turn (over) to page 22 of your textbook.
▪ I was all alone and had no one to turn to. ▪ She became depressed and turned to drugs. [=began using drugs] — often + for ▪ She turned to a friend for help. ▪ He turned to the employment agency for support. ▪ Turn to [=refer to] the handout for the exact figures.
▪ He turned to a life of crime. ▪ She sang rock music before turning to the blues.
b : to begin to deal with (something different) as a topic
▪ The conversation eventually turned to politics. ▪ We should turn to the next item on the list.
c : to turn the pages of a book, magazine, etc., until you have reached the desired or specified page
▪ She turned ahead to the third chapter. ▪ Please turn (over) to page 22 of your textbook.
turn up [phrasal verb] 1 a : to be found usually unexpectedly
▪ I'm sure your ring will turn up somewhere. ▪ New evidence has turned up.
b : to be found to be in a specified condition
▪ The missing person eventually turned up dead. ▪ He turned up missing at roll call. [=he was not present at roll call]
c turn up (something) or turn (something) up : to find or discover (something)
▪ I'll let you know if I turn up anything interesting. 2 : to happen unexpectedly
▪ Something is always turning up to prevent us from getting together. 3 a : to arrive at a place
▪ And who should turn up at the ceremony but John! ▪ Things were looking bad, but he was sure someone would turn up to save him.
b : to appear in a place
▪ Her name is always turning up in the newspapers. 4 turn up (something) or turn (something) up a : to increase the volume, temperature, etc., of something by pressing a button, moving a switch, etc.
▪ I turned up the heat. ▪ Please turn the volume up on the TV. = Please turn the TV up. ▪ The oven was turned up to 400 degrees.
b : to make (a skirt, a pair of pants, etc.) shorter
▪ These pants need to be turned up a little. — opposite let down at 1let
▪ I'm sure your ring will turn up somewhere. ▪ New evidence has turned up.
b : to be found to be in a specified condition
▪ The missing person eventually turned up dead. ▪ He turned up missing at roll call. [=he was not present at roll call]
c turn up (something) or turn (something) up : to find or discover (something)
▪ I'll let you know if I turn up anything interesting.
▪ Something is always turning up to prevent us from getting together.
▪ And who should turn up at the ceremony but John! ▪ Things were looking bad, but he was sure someone would turn up to save him.
b : to appear in a place
▪ Her name is always turning up in the newspapers.
▪ I turned up the heat. ▪ Please turn the volume up on the TV. = Please turn the TV up. ▪ The oven was turned up to 400 degrees.
b : to make (a skirt, a pair of pants, etc.) shorter
▪ These pants need to be turned up a little. — opposite let down at 1let
