[tune] See: CALL THE TUNE, CHANGE ONE’S TUNE, IN TUNE, SING A DIFFERENT TUNE or WHISTLE A DIFFERENT TUNE also SING A NEW TUNE, TO THE TUNE OF.
[tune in] To adjust a radio or television set to pick up a certain station. •/Bob tuned in his portable radio to a record show./ •/Tom tuned in to Channel 11 to hear the news./
[tune out]{v. phr.} To not listen to something. •/"How can you work in such a noisy environment?" Jane asked Sue. "Well, I simply tune it out," she answered./
[tune up]{v.} 1a. To adjust (a musical instrument) to make the right sound. •/Before he began to play, Harry tuned up his banjo./ 1b. To adjust a musical instrument or a group of musical instruments to the right sound. •/The orchestra came in and began to tune up for the concert./ 2. To adjust many parts of (car engine) which must work together so that it will run properly. •/He took his car to the garage to have the engine tuned up./
[tune-up]{n.} 1. The adjusting or fixing of something (as a motor) to make it work safely and well. •/Father says the car needs a tune-up before winter begins./ 2. Exercise or practicing for the purpose of getting ready; a trial before something. •/The team went to the practice field for their last tune-up before the game tomorrow./ Syn.: WARM UP.
[turkey] See: TALK TURKEY.
[turn] See: AT EVERY TURN, BLOOD RUN COLD or BLOOD TURNS TO ICE, BY TURNS, CALL THE TURN at CALL ONE’S SHOTS(2), EVERY TIME ONE TURNS AROUND, IN TURN, NOT KNOW WHICH WAY TO TURN, OUT OF TURN, TAKE A TURN, TAKE TURNS, TO A T or TO A TURN.
[turn a blind eye]{v. phr.} To pretend not to see; not pay attention. •/The corrupt police chief turned a blind eye to the open gambling in the town./ •/Bob turned a blind eye to the "No Fishing" sign./ Compare: CLOSE ONE’S EYES.
[turn a cold shoulder] See: COLD SHOULDER.
[turn a deaf ear to]{v. phr.} To pretend not to hear; refuse to hear; not pay attention. •/Mary turned a deaf ear to Lois’s asking to ride her bicycle./ •/The teacher turned a deaf ear to Bob’s excuse./ Compare: COLD SHOULDER.
[turn a hand]{v. phr.} To do anything to help. — Usually used in the negative. •/When we were all hurrying to get the house ready for company, Mary sat reading and wouldn’t turn a hand./ Syn.: LIFT A FINGER.
[turn an honest penny]{v. phr.} To realize a good profit. •/Tom turned an honest penny in the soybean trading business./ Compare: PRETTY PENNY.
[turn back the clock] See: PUT BACK THE CLOCK.
[turn color]{v. phr.} To become a different color. •/In the fall the leaves turn color./ •/When the dye was added the solution turned color./
[turn down]{v.} 1. To reduce the loudness, brightness, or force of. •/The theater lights were turned down./ •/Turn down that radio, will you?/ •/The hose was throwing too much water so I turned down the water a little bit./ 2. To refuse to accept; reject. •/His request for a raise was turned down./ •/If she offers to help, I’ll turn her down./ •/Many boys courted Lynn, but she turned them all down./
[turn for the worse] See: FOR THE WORSE.
[turn in]{v.} 1. or [hand in] To give to someone; deliver to someone. •/I want you to turn in a good history paper./ •/When the football season was over, we turned in our uniforms./ 2. To inform on; report. •/She turned them in to the police for breaking the street light./ 3. To give in return for something. •/They turned in their old money for new./ •/We turned our car in on a new model./ Syn.: TRADE IN. 4. {informal} To go to bed. •/We were tired, so we turned in about nine o’clock./ Contrast: TURN OUT(4).
[turn in one’s grave] or [turn over in one’s grave] {v. phr.} To be so grieved or angry that you would not rest quietly in your grave. •/If your grandfather could see what you’re doing now, he would turn over in his grave./
[turn loose] See: LET LOOSE(1a).
[turn off]{v.} 1. To stop by turning a knob or handle or by working a switch; to cause to be off. •/He turned the water off./ •/He turned off the light./ 2. To leave by turning right or left onto another way./ •/Turn off the highway at exit 5./ •/The car turned off on Bridge Street./ 3. {slang} To disgust, bore, or repel (someone) by being intellectually, emotionally, socially, or sexually unattractive. •/I won’t date Linda Bell anymore — she just turns me off./ Contrast: TURN ON.
[turn of the century]{n. phr.} The time at the end of one century and the beginning of the next century; {especially}: The time when the 1800’s became the 1900’s; the early 1900’s. •/Automobiles were strange things to see at the turn of the century./
[turn on]{v.} 1. To start by turning a knob or handle or working a switch; cause to be on. •/Jack turned on the water./ •/Who turned the lights on?/ 2. {informal} To put forth or succeed with as easily as turning on water. •/She really turns on the charm when that new boy is around./ 3. To attack. •/The lion tamer was afraid the lions would turn on him./ •/After Joe fumbled the ball and lost the big game, his friends turned on him./ 4. {slang} The opposite of turning someone off; to become greatly interested in an idea, person, or undertaking; to arouse the senses pleasantly. •/Mozart’s music always turns me on./ 5. Introducing someone to a new experience, or set of values. •/Benjamin turned me on to transcendental meditation, and ever since I’ve been feeling great!/ Contrast: TURN OFF.
[turn on a dime]{v. phr.} To be able to turn in a very narrow spot comparable to a small coin. •/This new sports car can turn on a dime./
[turn one around one’s little finger] See: TWIST ONE AROUND ONE’S LITTLE FINGER.
[turn one’s back on]{v. phr.} To refuse to help (someone in trouble or need.) •/He turned his back on his own family when they needed help./ •/The poorer nations are often not grateful for our help, but still we can not turn our back on them./ Compare: GO BACK ON(1).