turn around

Definitions

1. 1

   Alternative spelling of turnaround.

2. 2

   To physically rotate (usually around a vertical axis) for a half turn (180 degrees), a…

   To physically rotate (usually around a vertical axis) for a half turn (180 degrees), a whole turn (360 degrees), or an indefinite amount.

   • At the end of the road, we turned around and walked back to the hotel.
   • The world turns around once every twenty-four hours.
   • Turn around once or twice so I can see your new dress.
3. 3

   To change drastically in a fundamental way, often for the better

   To change drastically in a fundamental way, often for the better; to change to the opposite (opinion or position).

   • She turned her position around and now she is in favor of the merger.
   • Seeing the British establishment struggle with the financial sector is like watching an alcoholic who still resists the idea that something drastic needs to happen for him to turn his life around.
4. ›+ 5 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      To reverse an expected outcome (of a game, etc.), usually from a losing outcome to a…

      To reverse an expected outcome (of a game, etc.), usually from a losing outcome to a winning one; to return (a business, department, etc.) to effectiveness, profitability, etc.

      • The new management team has really turned the company around 180 degrees, and they expect a good profit next year.
      • The team really turned it around in the second half for a great win.
      • They were way ahead but the game turned around on them and they lost 4–3.
   2. 5

      To convert (an agent) to work for one's own side.

   3. 6

      To suddenly change or reverse one's opinion, point of view, stated position, behaviour,…

      To suddenly change or reverse one's opinion, point of view, stated position, behaviour, etc.

      • You can't just turn around and say that it was all my fault.
   4. 7

      To consider from a different viewpoint.

      • Let's turn that around and look at it from another angle.
   5. 8

      (often with a unit of time) To produce

      (often with a unit of time) To produce; to output; to generate.

      • We can turn around 500 units by next week.
      • Typically, this meant that the teams were turning around two sets a week, with a train rolling into the depot on a Sunday for what Hinze describes as a "big strip-out". This would pull the carriages back almost to the bare bones.

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