1 B2 idiomatic informal
(British, informal) To force someone to leave a place or position, especially in a sudden or unceremonious way.
"The landlord threatened to turf them out if they didn't pay the rent."
separable
turf out
B2 informal separable transitive
To force someone to leave a place or position, often unceremoniously; to throw something away.
In plain English
To make someone leave a place, job, or position in a firm or sudden way; to get rid of something you don't need.
What does "turf out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
(British, informal) To throw away or get rid of unwanted objects.
"I spent the weekend turfing out all the old boxes from the garage."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To push something off turf (grassland) — to eject physically.
Actually means
To make someone leave a place, job, or position in a firm or sudden way; to get rid of something you don't need.
Usage tip
Chiefly British and Australian English. Used for people being ejected from places, organisations, or positions, and also for discarding unwanted objects. Often implies a lack of ceremony or respect for the person being removed.
Words that pair with "turf out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
tenant government manager junk belongings squatters
How to conjugate "turf out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
turf out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
turfs out
he/she/it
Past simple
turfed out
yesterday
Past participle
turfed out
have + pp
-ing form
turfing out
continuous
Hear "turf out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "turf out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.