turn on
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle on
Meanings
Activate a device
Why “on”? The connection starts. The machine, light, or device begins working.
“Turn the light on, please.”
“Turn the oven on before you bake.”
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“Turn the light on, please.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
turn in
A contrast learners often mix up
Go to bed for the night
turn off
A contrast learners often mix up
Deactivate a device
act on
Same on pattern: power start
Take action because of advice or information
bring on
Same on pattern: power start
Cause something, especially an illness or feeling, to start; Help someone or something develop or improve
catch on
Same on pattern: power start
Become popular or fashionable; Begin to understand something
click on
Same on pattern: power start
Activate by clicking
come on
Same on pattern: power start
Used to encourage, hurry or challenge someone; Begin to develop, especially an illness or weather; Start working or be turned on; Make progress or improve; Try to start a romantic or sexual relationship with someone; Be broadcast on television or radio
dawn on
Same on pattern: power start
Suddenly become understood by someone
Tell it apart
Side-by-side comparisons with the verbs learners most often confuse for “turn on”.
Practice “turn on” in Sink In
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