turn on
To start something electrical or mechanical, to suddenly attack someone, or to make someone feel excited or interested.
Meanings
To start a device, machine, or supply by operating a switch, button, or valve.
"Turn on the radio — I want to hear the news."
To suddenly attack or become hostile toward someone, especially without warning.
"The normally friendly dog turned on the child without any warning."
(informal) To excite, attract, or stimulate someone's interest, enthusiasm, or desire.
"What really turns him on is solving complex mathematical problems."
"Tune in, turn on, drop out."
— Timothy Leary, counterculture slogan, 1960s
(formal) To depend or hinge upon a particular factor or question.
"The whole case turns on whether the witness was telling the truth."
Three major senses. The device sense is A2. The attack sense ('the dog turned on him') is B1, always intransitive in that context. The excitement/arousal sense is informal and can be sexual or non-sexual ('jazz really turns me on'). Also used as 'turn on' = to depend on ('it all turns on one question').
Commonly used with
Forms
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Synonyms
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