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turn out

A2 neutral separable both
In simple words

To end up in a certain way, to come to an event, to make something, or to switch a light off.

Literal meaning: To rotate something outward or switch something in the outward/off position.

Meanings

1 A2 idiomatic neutral

To result in a particular way; to happen to be the case in the end.

"Everything turned out better than we had expected."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 neutral

To come to or attend an event, especially in large numbers.

"Over fifty thousand people turned out for the free outdoor concert."

Grammar: inseparable
3 B1 neutral

To produce or manufacture something in quantity.

"The factory turns out about two thousand units every day."

Grammar: separable
4 A2 neutral

To switch off a light.

"Don't forget to turn out the lights before you go to bed."

"Don't forget to turn out the lights."

— Common idiomatic instruction; also the title of a song by Teddy Pendergrass (1981)
Grammar: separable
Usage notes

One of the most frequent phrasal verbs in English. The 'result' sense ('it turned out fine') is extremely common. The attendance sense ('thousands turned out') is common in news reporting. The production sense ('the factory turns out 500 units a day') is business/industrial. 'Turn out the lights' is a classic phrase.

Commonly used with

fine well badly crowds voters products

Forms

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

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Synonyms

come out end up pan out prove to be result transpire

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