In 15 Seconds
- To change direction physically or mentally to avoid something.
- Commonly used for ignoring distractions or avoiding difficult questions.
- Carries a tone of intentionality and grace.
Meaning
To turn aside means to change direction or move away from a path, whether physically or mentally. It is like deciding to ignore a distraction or avoiding a conversation that you don't want to have.
Key Examples
3 of 6Walking in a crowded street
I had to turn aside to avoid bumping into the street performer.
اضطررت إلى الانحراف جانباً لتجنب الاصطدام بفنان الشارع.
A press conference
The CEO turned aside questions about the company's falling stock price.
صرف المدير التنفيذي النظر عن الأسئلة المتعلقة بانخفاض سعر سهم الشركة.
Resisting a snack while dieting
She bravely turned aside from the tray of donuts in the breakroom.
لقد انصرفت بشجاعة عن صينية الكعك في غرفة الاستراحة.
Cultural Background
In British culture, 'turning aside' a personal question is often seen as a sign of good breeding and 'stiff upper lip' stoicism. It is a way to maintain privacy without being overtly rude. In US business, 'turning aside' criticism is a key skill for executives. It is often called 'pivoting.' The goal is to move from a negative topic to a positive 'talking point.' In many English-speaking religious traditions, 'turning aside' is a powerful metaphor for sin or losing faith. It comes from the idea of leaving the 'straight path' of righteousness. In classic English literature (like Tolkien or Bunyan), 'turning aside' often signals a major plot shift where a character enters a 'liminal space' or a place of testing.
Use it for 'Pivoting'
In professional speaking, use 'turn aside' to move from a topic you don't want to discuss to one you do. It sounds much more elegant than 'I don't want to talk about that.'
Don't over-use it
Because it's a formal phrase, using it too much in casual conversation can make you sound stiff or pretentious.
In 15 Seconds
- To change direction physically or mentally to avoid something.
- Commonly used for ignoring distractions or avoiding difficult questions.
- Carries a tone of intentionality and grace.
What It Means
Turn aside is about moving away from your current path. It can be a physical movement, like stepping off a sidewalk. More often, it is about your focus. If someone tries to distract you, you turn aside their attempt. It implies a conscious choice to avoid something. Think of it as a polite but firm 'no' with your body or mind.
How To Use It
You can use it when talking about physical movement. For example, 'He turned aside to let the car pass.' You can also use it for abstract ideas. If a reporter asks a tough question, a politician might turn aside the inquiry. It functions as a phrasal verb. You can turn aside from something, or turn someone aside from their goal.
When To Use It
Use it when you want to describe avoiding a temptation. It is perfect for professional settings when you need to stay focused. Use it in storytelling to show a character's change of heart. It works well when describing a person who refuses to be distracted. It feels a bit more elegant than just saying 'ignored.'
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for simple physical turns like 'turn left.' That sounds robotic and strange. Avoid using it for romantic 'rejections' in a casual way. Saying 'She turned aside my date request' sounds like a 19th-century novel. For modern dating, just use 'rejected' or 'said no.' Also, don't use it for turning off electronics.
Cultural Background
This phrase has a slightly literary or biblical feel. In older English texts, it often meant wandering from a moral path. Today, it has lost the 'sinful' weight but kept the 'intentional' feel. It suggests a level of discipline or specific intent. It is common in British English and formal American English.
Common Variations
You might hear turn away, which is much more common in casual speech. Turn away feels more like a rejection. Turn aside feels more like a redirection. Another variation is brush aside. This is more aggressive and suggests the thing being ignored is unimportant. Use turn aside when you want to sound more graceful.
Usage Notes
This phrase is best suited for B2+ levels because of its nuanced, formal tone. It is most effective in writing or formal speeches rather than casual hanging out.
Use it for 'Pivoting'
In professional speaking, use 'turn aside' to move from a topic you don't want to discuss to one you do. It sounds much more elegant than 'I don't want to talk about that.'
Don't over-use it
Because it's a formal phrase, using it too much in casual conversation can make you sound stiff or pretentious.
Literary Flair
If you are writing a story, use 'turn aside' to give your prose a more classic, sophisticated feel.
Preposition Power
Remember to use 'from' when you are leaving a path or a habit: 'Turn aside from the road,' 'Turn aside from bad habits.'
Examples
6I had to turn aside to avoid bumping into the street performer.
اضطررت إلى الانحراف جانباً لتجنب الاصطدام بفنان الشارع.
Describes a physical movement to avoid an obstacle.
The CEO turned aside questions about the company's falling stock price.
صرف المدير التنفيذي النظر عن الأسئلة المتعلقة بانخفاض سعر سهم الشركة.
Shows a professional way to avoid a topic.
She bravely turned aside from the tray of donuts in the breakroom.
لقد انصرفت بشجاعة عن صينية الكعك في غرفة الاستراحة.
Uses the phrase for resisting temptation with a touch of humor.
I won't let these notifications turn me aside from finishing my essay!
لن أدع هذه التنبيهات تصرفني عن إنهاء مقالي!
Informal use regarding digital distractions.
He refused to be turned aside from his dream of becoming an artist.
رفض أن ينحرف عن حلمه في أن يصبح فناناً.
Emotional context regarding life goals.
Turn aside at the old oak tree to find the hidden path.
انحرف عند شجرة البلوط القديمة لتجد الطريق المخفي.
Physical direction in a descriptive setting.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'turn aside'.
The knight managed to _______ the dragon's fire with his magical shield.
We use the base form after 'managed to'.
Which sentence uses 'turn aside' correctly in a formal context?
Choose the best option:
'Turn aside' is used for deflecting questions, not for rejecting food, adjusting volume, or removing clothes.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: 'Are you going to answer the rumors about the merger?' B: 'No, I'm going to _______ and talk about our new product instead.'
When using a pronoun (them), it usually goes between 'turn' and 'aside'.
Match the use of 'turn aside' to the correct meaning.
1. Turn aside from a path. 2. Turn aside a blow. 3. Turn aside from a temptation.
1 matches B (Physical), 2 matches C (Deflecting), 3 matches A (Moral).
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesThe knight managed to _______ the dragon's fire with his magical shield.
We use the base form after 'managed to'.
Choose the best option:
'Turn aside' is used for deflecting questions, not for rejecting food, adjusting volume, or removing clothes.
A: 'Are you going to answer the rumors about the merger?' B: 'No, I'm going to _______ and talk about our new product instead.'
When using a pronoun (them), it usually goes between 'turn' and 'aside'.
1. Turn aside from a path. 2. Turn aside a blow. 3. Turn aside from a temptation.
1 matches B (Physical), 2 matches C (Deflecting), 3 matches A (Moral).
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsThey are very similar, but 'turn away' is more common for physical rejection (like being told you can't enter a club), while 'turn aside' is more about deflecting or changing direction.
No, that's a common mistake. For lights or electronics, always use 'turn off' or 'switch off'.
Yes, it is generally considered more formal and literary than 'ignore' or 'dodge'.
It's better to say 'He turned his head aside' or 'He turned his head away'. The second one is much more common in modern English.
The opposite would be 'stay the course', 'keep going', or 'confront'.
Yes, you can turn aside a person who is trying to talk to you, but it sounds very formal. 'He turned aside the persistent salesman.'
Use 'from' for the thing you are leaving/avoiding, and 'to' for the new direction. 'He turned aside from the path to look at a tree.'
No. 'Set aside' means to save something for later or to ignore a feeling. 'Turn aside' means to change direction to avoid something.
Yes, but it's less common in casual speech than in British English. It's mostly found in formal writing in the US.
Yes, it's a great way to politely say you are not going to address a certain point right now. 'We have turned aside those concerns for the moment.'
Related Phrases
turn away
similarTo refuse entrance or to look in a different direction.
brush off
informalTo dismiss someone or something abruptly.
set aside
similarTo save something for later or to ignore a feeling.
shrug off
similarTo treat something as unimportant.
stay the course
contrastTo continue doing something despite difficulties.
