در ۱۵ ثانیه
- To look in a different direction to avoid seeing something.
- To refuse someone entry to a building or event.
- A separable phrasal verb used in both physical and social contexts.
معنی
To 'turn away' means to move your eyes or body so you aren't looking at something, or to refuse someone entry to a place like a club or a shop.
مثالهای کلیدی
3 از 6Watching a scary movie
The movie was so scary that I had to turn away during the basement scene.
The movie was so scary that I had to look away during the basement scene.
A crowded restaurant
The host had to turn away dozens of people because they didn't have reservations.
The host had to refuse entry to dozens of people because they didn't have reservations.
Feeling embarrassed
When he complimented her, she blushed and turned away.
When he complimented her, she blushed and looked in another direction.
زمینه فرهنگی
In the UK, pub and club owners have a 'Right of Refusal,' meaning they can turn away anyone without giving a reason. This makes 'being turned away' a common topic of conversation among young people. In Japan, turning away or avoiding direct eye contact is often a sign of respect or humility, whereas in the US, it might be interpreted as being suspicious or rude. The phrase 'No shirt, no shoes, no service' is a famous American business policy that explicitly states why a customer might be turned away. The phrase is frequently used in international law regarding 'non-refoulement,' the principle that countries cannot turn away refugees who are in danger.
Passive Voice
This phrase is most common in the passive voice ('was turned away') when talking about clubs or events.
Pronoun Position
Always put 'me', 'him', 'her', 'us', and 'them' in the middle: 'Turn them away'.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- To look in a different direction to avoid seeing something.
- To refuse someone entry to a building or event.
- A separable phrasal verb used in both physical and social contexts.
What It Means
At its heart, turn away is about physical movement. It is the act of looking in a different direction. You do this because you are bored, scared, or shy. However, it has a second, sharper meaning. It also means to reject someone. If a restaurant is full, they might turn away customers. It is a mix of physical action and social rejection.
How To Use It
You can use it literally or figuratively. For the physical sense, just say I had to turn away. It shows you couldn't keep watching. For the rejection sense, use it like a verb of power. The guard turned them away. Notice how the person being rejected goes in the middle. It is a 'separable' phrasal verb. You can say turn away the fans or turn the fans away. Both work perfectly.
When To Use It
Use it when a movie scene gets too gory. Use it when you are embarrassed and can't make eye contact. It is also the standard phrase for businesses. If a concert is sold out, the news will say 'thousands were turned away at the gates.' It sounds professional but clear. It is great for storytelling too. It adds a bit of drama to a scene.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it if you just mean 'to leave.' If you walk out of a room, that is just leaving. Turn away implies you were facing something first. Also, don't use it for ignoring a text message. That is ghosting or ignoring. Turn away usually involves a physical presence or a formal refusal. If you are breaking up with someone, turn away sounds a bit too poetic and dramatic for a casual chat.
Cultural Background
In Western culture, eye contact is very important. Turning away during a conversation can seem rude or suspicious. However, in literature, it is a classic trope for a tragic hero. Think of a movie where the hero walks into the sunset. They turn away from their old life. It carries a weight of finality. In the world of nightlife, being turned away from a club is a common (and painful) social experience.
Common Variations
You might hear turn someone's stomach. This is different! That means something is gross. You might also hear turn-away as a noun, but that is rare. Stick to the verb form. Another variation is turn back, which means to return. Turn away is specifically about the exit or the refusal. It is the 'no entry' sign of phrasal verbs.
نکات کاربردی
The phrase is very versatile but remember it's separable. Use 'turn [someone] away' for the most natural flow in conversation.
Passive Voice
This phrase is most common in the passive voice ('was turned away') when talking about clubs or events.
Pronoun Position
Always put 'me', 'him', 'her', 'us', and 'them' in the middle: 'Turn them away'.
Metaphorical Use
Use 'turn away from' to sound more advanced when talking about changing your habits or beliefs.
Politeness
In English, turning away while someone is talking to you is considered very rude.
مثالها
6The movie was so scary that I had to turn away during the basement scene.
The movie was so scary that I had to look away during the basement scene.
Describes a physical reaction to fear.
The host had to turn away dozens of people because they didn't have reservations.
The host had to refuse entry to dozens of people because they didn't have reservations.
Shows the 'refusal' meaning in a business context.
When he complimented her, she blushed and turned away.
When he complimented her, she blushed and looked in another direction.
Used to describe a shy or emotional reaction.
The club was so packed they were turning everyone away at the door.
The club was so full they were rejecting everyone at the door.
Common way to describe a failed night out.
I tried to enter the VIP lounge, but the guard turned me away because of my Crocs.
I tried to enter the VIP lounge, but the guard rejected me because of my shoes.
Lighthearted use regarding dress codes.
The charity was forced to turn away applicants due to a lack of funding.
The charity was forced to reject applicants due to a lack of funding.
A serious, formal application of the phrase.
خودت رو بسنج
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'turn away'.
The concert was so popular that the organizers had to ______ hundreds of fans.
When fans are refused entry to a concert, we use 'turn away'.
Which sentence uses the pronoun correctly?
The bouncer didn't like my shoes, so...
With phrasal verbs like 'turn away', pronouns must go between the verb and the particle.
Match the meaning of 'turn away' to the situation.
Situation: A doctor refuses to help a patient because they have no insurance.
Refusing to provide a service or assistance is the 'rejection of help' sense.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: Why are you back so early? B: The club was full, so they ______.
'Turned us away' is the correct phrase for being refused entry to a club.
🎉 امتیاز: /4
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
Turn Away vs. Turn Down
Common Objects of 'Turn Away'
People
- • Fans
- • Customers
- • Refugees
Body Parts
- • Eyes
- • Face
- • Gaze
بانک تمرین
4 تمرینهاThe concert was so popular that the organizers had to ______ hundreds of fans.
When fans are refused entry to a concert, we use 'turn away'.
The bouncer didn't like my shoes, so...
With phrasal verbs like 'turn away', pronouns must go between the verb and the particle.
Situation: A doctor refuses to help a patient because they have no insurance.
Refusing to provide a service or assistance is the 'rejection of help' sense.
A: Why are you back so early? B: The club was full, so they ______.
'Turned us away' is the correct phrase for being refused entry to a club.
🎉 امتیاز: /4
سوالات متداول
12 سوالIt is neutral. It's fine for both casual talk and news reports.
No, use 'turn down the offer' instead.
'Look away' is only about your eyes. 'Turn away' can be your whole body or a social rejection.
Always 'turn away from'. You are moving away from the source.
Usually, we say 'turn off' a road or 'turn around'. 'Turn away' is rare for vehicles unless they are being refused entry to a parking lot.
Usually, yes, as it implies rejection or avoidance. However, physically turning away from a bright light is a positive, protective action.
You might say, 'In my last role, we had to turn away several clients because we were at full capacity.'
No, that's 'turn my stomach'. 'Turn away' has nothing to do with being sick.
The past tense is 'turned away'.
No, use 'turn off'.
Yes, it is very common in all varieties of English.
Yes, you can 'turn away' from a bad smell.
عبارات مرتبط
turn down
similarTo reject an offer or request.
turn back
similarTo return in the direction you came from.
look away
synonymTo move your eyes so you don't see something.
send away
similarTo order someone to leave.
turn one's back on
builds onTo abandon or ignore someone.
