Phrasal verb
turn away
To turn away means to refuse to let someone enter or receive help, or to move your face or attention away from something.
Meanings
to refuse to allow someone to enter a place or receive service or help
to move your face or body so you are not facing someone or something
to stop paying attention to something or to reject it emotionally
Definition
To turn away commonly means to refuse someone entry, service, or help. It can also mean to physically move your face or body away, or to stop paying attention because you are upset, embarrassed, or uninterested. The meaning is usually clear from the context.
Examples
- They turned away anyone who didn’t have a reservation.
- I turned away when the camera flashed in my face.
- She turned away from the argument and went for a walk.
- We turned away at the last minute because the line was too long.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse "turn away" (refuse entry) with "turn down" (reject an offer or request).
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.