English
turn around
Noun

turn around

  1. Alternative spelling of turnaround
Verb

turn around

  1. (transitive, intransitive, reflexive) To physically rotate (usually around a vertical axis) for a half turn (180 degrees), a whole turn (360 degrees), or an indefinite amount.
    We heard footsteps behind us, turned around and saw a huge guy covered in tattoos.
    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.
    A wheel turns around on an axle.
  2. (transitive, intransitive, reflexive) To change to the opposite opinion or position.
    She turned her position around and now she is in favor of the merger.
  3. (transitive, business, management, sports) 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.
  4. (transitive, espionage) To convert (an agent) to work for one's own side.
    • 2014, Joseph DiMona, To the Eagle's Nest
      Some months ago, the Captain had come to the FBI with a story that he had been contacted by Soviet agents, and the FBI had “turned him around” and used him to plant false and specially made up classified material of no importance on the Soviets.
  5. (intransitive, idiomatic, colloquial) To make a sudden unreasonable accusation.
    You can't just turn around and say that it was all my fault.
  6. (transitive, idiomatic, of an idea) To consider from a different viewpoint.
    Let's turn that around and look at it from another angle.
  7. (transitive, idiomatic, colloquial) (often with a unit of time) To produce; to output; to generate''
    We can turn around 500 units by next week.
Translations Translations Translations
  • Portuguese: dar a volta por cima


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