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turn over

B1 neutral separable transitive/intransitive

To flip something to the other side, or to transfer control/possession to someone else.

In plain English

Flip something upside down, or give something to someone else.

What does "turn over" mean?

4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.

1 A2 neutral

To flip something so that its other side is facing up or outward.

"She turned over the pancake when bubbles appeared on the surface."

He turned over a new leaf after his release from prison.

— Common idiom; widely used in literature and journalism
separable
2 B1 neutral

To transfer something, especially property or a suspect, to someone in authority.

"The police asked the company to turn over all documents related to the fraud."

He agreed to turn over his passport to the authorities.

— Common journalistic usage
separable
3 B1 neutral

To start an engine, or (of an engine) to start running.

"He turned the key but the engine wouldn't turn over in the cold weather."

separable
4 B2 idiomatic neutral

To generate a certain amount of money in business over a period of time.

"The small bakery turns over about £200,000 a year."

separable

Literal vs figurative

Words literally mean

To rotate or flip something so its other side faces up.

Actually means

Flip something upside down, or give something to someone else.

Usage tip

In business, 'turnover' (noun) refers to revenue or staff replacement rate. 'Turn over a new leaf' is a fixed idiom meaning to change one's behavior for the better. In American English, a 'turnover' is also a pastry.

Words that pair with "turn over"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

leaf engine control suspect stone page

How to conjugate "turn over"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

Base
turn over
I/you/we/they
3rd person
turns over
he/she/it
Past simple
turned over
yesterday
Past participle
turned over
have + pp
-ing form
turning over
continuous

Hear "turn over" in the wild

Listen to native speakers using "turn over" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.

Other ways to say "turn over"

Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.

flip over hand over invert relinquish surrender transfer

Keep exploring

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