turn away

phrasal verb·2 senses·particle away

Meanings

1

Refuse to allow someone to enter

Why “away”? You move away from where you were until you are out of reach.

They turned us away at the door.
They refused to allow us in at the door.
The clinic turned patients away without appointments.
The clinic refused to allow patients in without appointments.
2

Move your face or eyes from someone or something

She turned away in disgust.
She moved her face aside in disgust.
He turned away when the needle appeared.
He moved his face aside when the needle appeared.

Don't confuse with

turn awayturn back

Turn away means refuse to allow someone to enter. Turn back means reverse to an earlier state.

turn awayturn down

Turn away means refuse to allow someone to enter. Turn down means reject or refuse an offer or request.

Test yourself

They turned us away at the door. What does it mean?

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