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turn to

B1 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words

Go to someone for help, or start doing a new thing.

Literal meaning: To rotate one's body so as to face a particular person or direction.

Meanings

1 B1 neutral

To go to someone for help, support, or advice.

"When she felt overwhelmed, she turned to her older sister for advice."

"You can turn to us in times of trouble."

— Common pastoral and political expression; widely attributed in speeches
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 idiomatic neutral

To begin doing something, especially a new activity or lifestyle, often after a change of circumstances.

"After losing his job, he turned to painting as a way to cope."

"Many of those who had turned to alcohol and drugs to self-medicate."

— Common journalistic/clinical usage
Grammar: inseparable
3 B1 formal

To direct attention or discussion to a new topic.

"Now let's turn to the second point on the agenda."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Very versatile phrasal verb. When followed by a person, it expresses seeking support. When followed by an activity or subject, it expresses a change of focus. Common in both spoken and written English.

Commonly used with

friend drink drugs religion page topic

Forms

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

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Synonyms

seek out appeal to rely on look to resort to switch to

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