turn into (someone or something)
turn into (someone or something)
1. To take a turn leading into some place or thing. We turned into a dark alleyway to avoid the police. I don't like the sounds coming from the engine. Turn into that service station so we can see if anything is wrong.
2. To cause someone or something to take a turn leading into some place or thing. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "turn" and "into." I managed to turn the car into an empty field so as not to cause a major accident on the highway.
3. To change or transform into some other form. This sofa turns into a bed, so there is a place for you to sleep tonight if you need to stay over. The caterpillar turns into a butterfly after it comes out of its cocoon.
4. To change in nature, character, or behavior. You've turned into a real jerk since you became rich!
5. To change or transform someone or something into some other state or form. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "turn" and "into." They've turned this abandoned warehouse into a wonderful art gallery. The witch in the story turns the princess into a hideous beast.
6. To change someone's nature, character, or behavior. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "turn" and "into." The allure of total power can turn even the most altruistic leader into a tyrant. Years of poverty and mistreatment has turned him into quite the bitter, cynical person.
See also: turn
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
turn someone or something into someone or something
to change someone or something into someone or something else. The magician tried to turn Ginny into a robin. She turned the parrot into a dove.
See also: turn
turn into someone or something
to change into someone or something. After work is over, he turns into a fairly nice person. The room turned into a very pleasant place when the lights were dimmed.
See also: turn
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
turn into
v.
1. To direct one's way or course into something: The truck turned into the gas station.
2. To cause someone or something to take on some character, nature, identity, or appearance; change or transform someone or something into someone or something: The designer turned a rundown house into a show place. We turned the spare room into a nursery.
3. To change into something or someone; become transformed into something or someone: The night turned into day. In the story, straw turns into gold.
4. To convert something into something: The singers turned their talent into extra money.
5. To pour, let fall, or otherwise release something into some receptacle: The chef turned the soup into the dish.
See also: turn
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
- turn into
- don't quit trying
- the whole enchilada
- whole enchilada
- wedge in
- wedge into (something)
- a little leery
- Sounds like a winner!
- roll by
- scream like a banshee