1 B2 formal
To move one's face or body to the side, especially to avoid seeing or dealing with something.
"He turned aside, unable to watch the scene unfolding before him."
inseparable
turn aside
B2 formal separable transitive/intransitive
To move or look to one side; to deflect or reject something; to deviate from a course.
In plain English
To move to one side, avoid looking at something, or reject an idea or request.
What does "turn aside" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic formal
To deflect, reject, or dismiss a question, criticism, or attack.
"The politician turned aside every question about the investigation with a smile."
separable
3 C1 idiomatic formal
To deviate from a planned course or purpose.
"We cannot turn aside from our mission now that we are so close to the goal."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To rotate one's body or movement toward the side.
Actually means
To move to one side, avoid looking at something, or reject an idea or request.
Usage tip
More formal and literary than common spoken alternatives. Often used in writing to describe averting one's gaze from something upsetting, or deflecting a question or criticism. Biblical and classical literature use it frequently.
Words that pair with "turn aside"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
gaze question criticism path anger wrath
How to conjugate "turn aside"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
turn aside
I/you/we/they
3rd person
turns aside
he/she/it
Past simple
turned aside
yesterday
Past participle
turned aside
have + pp
-ing form
turning aside
continuous
Hear "turn aside" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "turn aside" 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.