turn over
Related to turn over: turn over a new leaf, Turn over number
turn over
1. verb To flip something so that what was on top is now on the bottom. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "turn" and "over." You need to turn over those burgers so that they cook evenly on both sides. Turn it over to see if there's anything written on the other side.
2. verb To change the physical orientation or position of oneself, someone, or something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "turn" and "over." I turned over in bed so that the sun wasn't shining directly into my eyes anymore. He's been turning that locket over in his hand for the past hour. I wonder what's inside it.
3. verb To start working, usually of an engine. I always have a hard time getting my engine to turn over on cold mornings like this.
4. verb To ponder or consider something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "turn" and "over." I've been turning over their job offer for days, but I still haven't made a decision. He turned the problem over for hours, but the solution came to him only when he laid his head on the pillow.
5. verb To yield someone or something to someone or something else. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "turn" and "over." This usage is common in sports, referring to a player accidentally surrendering the ball, puck, etc. to an opponent. When I die, please turn all of my money over to charity. I turned the ball over to the other team's best player, and he promptly scored a basket.
6. verb To carefully examine or search a particular place. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "turn" and "over." Can you believe I turned over the entire house looking for an invitation that was on my refrigerator the whole time?
7. verb For one's stomach to produce an unpleasant feeling. My stomach turns over at the sight of blood, so I doubt I have a future in medicine.
8. verb To be replaced or changed. Players turn over so quickly that I'm the most tenured guy on the team now—and I've only been here two years!
9. verb To make a particular amount of money, as of a business. Our company used to turn over nearly a billion dollars! Why are this year's numbers so low?
10. verb, slang To treat one's drug addiction. This rehab facility came highly recommended, so I'm hopeful that it will help her turn over.
11. noun The change or replacement of people in a particular place or setting. In this usage, the phrase is usually written as one word. Our department has had so much turnover lately that the most tenured person has only been here a year.
12. noun In sports, the act of yielding the ball, puck, etc. to an opponent. In this usage, the phrase is usually written as one word. I'm so disappointed that my turnover wound up costing us the game.
See also: over, turn
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
turn someone or something over
to rotate someone or something so that the side that was on the bottom is now on the top. The nurses turned the patient over so they could give her some medicine. They turned over the unconscious patient.
See also: over, turn
turn over
1. Lit. to rotate so that the side that was on the bottom is now on top. The turtle turned over and crawled away. She turned over to get some sun on her back.
2. and kick over Fig. [for an engine] to start or to rotate. My car engine was so cold that it wouldn't even turn over. The engine kicked over a few times and then stopped for good.
3. Fig. to undergo exchange; to be replaced. The employees turn over pretty regularly in this department.
See also: over, turn
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
turn over
1. Invert, bring the bottom to the top, as in We have to turn over the soil before we plant anything. [Second half of 1300s]
2. Shift position, as by rolling from side to side. For example, This bed is so narrow I can barely turn over. [First half of 1700s]
3. Rotate, cycle, as in The engine turned over but the car wouldn't start. [Early 1900s]
4. Think about, consider, as in She turned over the idea in her mind. [Early 1800s]
5. Transfer to another, surrender, as in I turned over the funds to the children. [Mid-1500s]
6. Do business to the extent or amount of, as in We hoped the company would turn over a million dollars the first year. [Mid-1800s]
7. Seem to lurch or heave convulsively, as in The plane hit an air pocket and my stomach turned over. [Second half of 1800s]
8. Replace or renew the constituent parts, as in Half of our staff turns over every few years. [Mid-1900s] Also see turn over a new leaf.
See also: over, turn
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
turn over
v.
1. To bring the bottom of something to the top or vice versa; invert something: The farmer turned over the soil with a plow. The angry mob attacked the police car and turned it over.
2. To shift the position of, as by rolling from one side to the other: I turned over the box to read the instructions on the back. You have to turn the page over to read the rest of the story.
3. To shift one's position by rolling from one side to the other: The puppy turned over and lay on its back.
4. To rotate; cycle: The engine turned over but wouldn't start.
5. To think about something; consider something: I spent all night turning over what you said yesterday. She turned the problem over in her mind.
6. To transfer possession or control of someone or something to another; surrender someone or something: The CEO turned over the company to her son when she retired. If you find any evidence connected to a crime, you should turn it over to the authorities.
7. Sports To lose possession of something, such as a ball: Our quarterback turned over the ball five times in one game. The visiting team turned the ball over on their first play.
8. To do business to the extent or amount of something: The company turns over $1 million each year.
9. To seem to lurch or heave convulsively: My stomach turned over when the roller coaster started moving.
10. To search someplace thoroughly: The police turned over the house looking for evidence. The burglars had turned the place over but couldn't find the jewels they were looking for.
See also: over, turn
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
turn over
verbSee turn around
See also: over, turn
turn over
1. in. to get off of drugs. (Like turn over a new leaf.) There is a clinic on Maple Street that’ll help heads turn over.
2. Go to turn around.
See also: over, turn
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
- back into
- back into (someone or something)
- angle
- angling
- orient
- orient to
- orient to (something)
- spiff up
- spiffed up
- involved with