English phrasal verbs: Turn & Break
12 phrasal verbs with meanings and example sentences.
turn downto reject or refuse an offer, request, or invitationHe turned down the job offer because the salary was too low.turn (verb) + down (particle) — together mean to reject or refuse
turn upto arrive somewhere, often unexpectedly or after being missingShe turned up late to the meeting without any explanation.turn (verb) + up (particle) — together mean to arrive, especially unexpectedly
turn outto happen in a particular way, or to prove to be the case in the endThe weather turned out to be much better than the forecast predicted.turn (verb) + out (particle) — together mean to end up being or happening a certain way
turn intoto change or develop into something differentThe small argument turned into a huge fight within minutes.turn (verb) + into (particle) — together mean to change or transform into something else
turn offto stop a device or appliance from working, or to cause someone to lose interestPlease turn off the lights before you leave the room.turn (verb) + off (particle) — together mean to switch something off or to repel interest
turn onto switch a device on, or to suddenly attack or criticize someoneCan you turn on the TV so we can watch the news?turn (verb) + on (particle) — together mean to activate a device or to suddenly attack
turn aroundto change direction completely, or to improve after a period of failureThe struggling company managed to turn around its finances within a year.turn (verb) + around (particle) — together mean to reverse direction or improve dramatically
break downto stop functioning, or to become overwhelmed emotionallyMy car broke down on the highway during rush hour.break (verb) + down (particle) — together mean to stop working or to lose emotional control
break upto end a romantic relationship, or to separate into smaller piecesThey decided to break up after dating for three years.break (verb) + up (particle) — together mean to end a relationship or split apart
break outto escape suddenly, or for something unpleasant like a fire or disease to start suddenlyA fire broke out in the old warehouse late last night.break (verb) + out (particle) — together mean to start suddenly or escape
break into enter a building illegally by force, or to interrupt a conversationThieves broke in through the back window while the family was asleep.break (verb) + in (particle) — together mean to enter forcibly or interrupt
break awayto escape or separate from a group, place, or situationThe rebels broke away from the main political party to form their own movement.break (verb) + away (particle) — together mean to separate or escape from something
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