1 A2 neutral
To submit or hand over work, an object, or a document to a person in authority.
"All students must turn in their essays by Friday afternoon."
separable
turn in
B1 informal separable transitive/intransitive
To submit or hand over something; to report someone to the police or authorities; to go to bed.
In plain English
To give something to an official or teacher, to tell the police about someone, or to go to bed.
What does "turn in" mean?
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic informal
To report someone to the police or other authorities.
"His own brother turned him in after discovering what he had done."
separable
3 B1 idiomatic informal
(informal) To go to bed; to retire for the night.
"It's getting late — I think I'll turn in."
inseparable
4 B2 idiomatic neutral
To achieve or produce a particular result or performance.
"She turned in an outstanding performance in the final."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To fold or direct something inward.
Actually means
To give something to an official or teacher, to tell the police about someone, or to go to bed.
Usage tip
Three distinct senses. The submission sense ('turn in homework') is common in North American English; British English often prefers 'hand in'. The reporting sense ('turn someone in') is used in crime/police contexts. The sleeping sense ('turn in early') is informal.
Words that pair with "turn in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
homework report assignment criminal suspect early
How to conjugate "turn in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
turn in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
turns in
he/she/it
Past simple
turned in
yesterday
Past participle
turned in
have + pp
-ing form
turning in
continuous
Hear "turn in" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "turn in" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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