turn out
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turn out
1. verb To turn a light off. In this usage, a noun or pronoun (often "the light" or "the lights") can be used between "turn" and "out." Time to turn out the lights and go to bed. We turned our lights out and waited to hear what was happening. Your reading light is a bit bright. Would you mind turning it out?
2. verb To arrive for attendance, especially in large numbers. We had more people turn out for the conference this year than ever before.
3. verb To manufacture or produce something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "turn" and "out." We turn out nearly 4 million books every year. Once the strike ends, we can start turning cars out again. If I get into the zone, I can turn out 10 pages a night.
4. verb To point, curve, or fold outward. The edges of the desk turn out to give a more rounded appearance. My feet turn out slightly, which makes it awkward to dance.
5. verb To point, curve, or fold something outward. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "turn" and "out." He turned the book out so I could see what was on the page. Stop turning your toes out like that!
6. verb To result or end up as; to be ultimately discovered or considered to be (something). I thought the dinner turned out really well! He turned out to be a liar when all was said and done. Turns out I never lost the ticket—it was in my pocket the whole time!
7. verb To evict, eject, or expel someone. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "turn" and "out." It broke my heart to turn the family out, but they hadn't paid rent in three months. The B&B turned me out for playing loud music late at night.
8. verb To outfit, equip, or adorn. Typically used in a passive construction. The children had been adorably turned out in their costumes. It looks plain now, but you'll be amazed how the hall gets turned out for the event.
9. verb To get out of bed. I'd rather not turn out too early tomorrow—let's sleep in a little.
10. verb To get someone out of bed. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "turn" and "out." I don't know how you manage to turn out the kids and get them ready in time for school every morning.
11. noun The amount of people in attendance. As a noun, the phrase is usually spelled as one word. We had a great turnout for the conference this year.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
turn someone out
1. Lit. to send someone out of somewhere. I didn't pay my rent, so the manager turned me out. I'm glad it's not winter. I'd hate to turn out someone in the snow.
2. Fig. to train or produce someone with certain skills or talents. The state law school turns lawyers out by the dozen. A committee accused the state university of turning out too many veterinarians.
turn something out
1. to manufacture or produce something in numbers. The factory turns too few cars out. The factory turns out about seventy-five cars a day.
2. to turn off a light. Please turn the hall light out. Turn out the light.
turn out (all right)
and pan out; work out (all right)to end satisfactorily. I hope everything turns out all right. Oh, yes. It'll all pan out. Things usually work out, no matter how bad they seem.
turn out (that)
to happen; to end up; to result. After it was all over, it turned out that both of us were pleased with the bargain. Have you heard how the game turned out?
turn out
(for something) [for people, especially an audience] to [leave home to] attend some event. A lot of people turned out for our meeting. Almost all the residents turned out for the meeting.
turn out
[for something] to aim outward. Her toes turned out just right for a ballet dancer. The legs of the chair turned out just a little, adding a bit of stability.
turn out
somehow to end in a particular way, such as well, badly, all right, etc. I hope everything turns out all right. The party did not turn out well.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
turn out
1. Shut off, as in He turned out the light. [Late 1800s]
2. Arrive or assemble for an event, as in A large number of voters turned out for the rally. [Mid-1700s]
3. Produce, as in They turn out three thousand cars a month. [Mid-1700s]
4. Be found to be in the end; also, end up, result, as in The rookie turned out to be a fine fielder, or The cake didn't turn out very well. [First half of 1700s] Also see turn out all right.
5. Equip, outfit, as in The bride was turned out beautifully. [First half of 1800s]
6. Get out of bed, as in Come on, children; time to turn out. [Colloquial; early 1800s]
7. Evict, expel, as in The landlord turned out his tenant. [Early 1500s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
turn out
v.
1. To turn some light off: We turned out the lights. I turned the light out.
2. To arrive or assemble, as for a public event or entertainment: Many protesters have turned out for the rally.
3. To produce something, as by a manufacturing process; make something: The assembly line turns out 100 cars every hour. The artist turns a new painting out every week.
4. To be found to be something, as after experience or trial: The rookie turned out to be the team's best hitter. It turns out that he knew about the crime all along.
5. To end up; result: The cake turned out beautifully.
6. To equip someone or something; outfit someone or something. Used chiefly in the passive: The troops were turned out lavishly. They were turned out in brilliant colors.
7. To get out of bed: We turned out before the sun was up.
8. To get someone out of bed: The babysitter turned the children out at 8:00.
9. To evict someone; expel someone: The landlord turned out the tenants. The hotel turned the rowdy guests out.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
turn someone out
tv. to introduce someone to drugs, prostitution, homosexuality, etc. (Underworld.) There are laws against turning out people the way Max was doing.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.