1
general::
Phrase(s): turn someone or something over
to rotate someone or something so that the side that was on the bottom is now on the top. • The nurses turned the patient over so they could give her some medicine. • They turned over the unconscious patient., Phrase(s): turn over
1. Lit. to rotate so that the side that was on the bottom is now on top. • The turtle turned over and crawled away. • She turned over to get some sun on her back. 2. and kick over Fig. [for an engine] to start or to rotate. • My car engine was so cold that it wouldn’t even turn over. • The engine kicked over a few times and then stopped for good. 3. Fig. to undergo exchange; to be replaced. • The employees turn over pretty regularly in this department.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
1. Invert, bring the bottom to the top, as in We have to turn over the soil before we plant anything. [Second half of 1300s] 2. Shift position, as by rolling from side to side. For example, This bed is so narrow I can barely turn over. [First half of 1700s] 3. Rotate, cycle, as in The engine turned over but the car wouldn't start. [Early 1900s] 4. Think about, consider, as in She turned over the idea in her mind. [Early 1800s] 5. Transfer to another, surrender, as in I turned over the funds to the children. [Mid1500s] 6. Do business to the extent or amount of, as in We hoped the company would turn over a million dollars the first year. [Mid-1800s] 7. Seem to lurch or heave convulsively, as in The plane hit an air pocket and my stomach turned over. [Second half of 1800s] 8. Replace or renew the constituent parts, as in Half of our staff turns over every few years. [Mid-1900s] Also see TURN OVER A NEW LEAF.
American Heritage Idioms