turn about
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle about
Meanings
Reverse direction by 180°
Why “about”? You turn to face the opposite direction.
“He turned about and walked back.”
“Omar turned about and faced the door.”
Don't confuse with
Turn about means reverse direction by 180°. Turn round means move to face a different direction.
Test yourself
“He turned about and walked back.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
turn round
A contrast learners often mix up
Move to face a different direction
come about
Same about pattern: opposite way
Happen, especially in an unplanned way; Of a ship, change tack to the opposite side
face about
Same about pattern: opposite way
Pivot to face the opposite direction
turn against
Same base verb: turn
Stop supporting someone and become hostile to them
turn around
Same base verb: turn
Move so you face the other direction; Improve a situation that was failing
turn aside
Same base verb: turn
Move to one side, usually to make space
turn away
Same base verb: turn
Refuse to allow someone to enter; Move your face or eyes from someone or something
turn back
Same base verb: turn
Reverse to an earlier state
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