turn against
ينقلب على
حرفيًا: To rotate in the opposite direction against someone
Use it when a former supporter starts opposing you, especially in dramatic or emotional situations.
في 15 ثانية
- When a friend or ally suddenly becomes an enemy.
- A shift from support to opposition or hostility.
- Can apply to people, groups, or even your own health.
المعنى
Imagine someone who was your friend or supporter suddenly decides to become your enemy or stop helping you. It is that moment when loyalty disappears and someone starts working against you.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Talking about a movie plot
I can't believe his own brother turned against him in the final scene!
I can't believe his own brother turned against him in the final scene!
Discussing a bad meal
I loved that pizza at first, but my stomach turned against me an hour later.
I loved that pizza at first, but my stomach turned against me an hour later.
A business meeting
The board members turned against the CEO after the scandal broke.
The board members turned against the CEO after the scandal broke.
خلفية ثقافية
The phrase draws on the imagery of a battle line where a soldier might literally rotate their body to face their own side. It became deeply embedded in English through political discourse and literature to describe the shifting alliances of the 17th and 18th centuries. Today, it is a staple of 'cancel culture' discussions when public opinion shifts rapidly.
The 'Body' Trick
Use this phrase to sound more native when you're sick. Instead of 'I have a headache,' try 'My head has turned against me today.'
Don't confuse with 'Turn on'
While similar, 'turn on' can also mean 'to excite' in a slang context. Stick to 'turn against' to be safe and clear about betrayal.
في 15 ثانية
- When a friend or ally suddenly becomes an enemy.
- A shift from support to opposition or hostility.
- Can apply to people, groups, or even your own health.
What It Means
Turn against is all about a sudden change in loyalty. It is when a friend, a group, or even your own luck stops being on your side. Think of it like a physical turn. One minute they are walking with you. The next, they spin around to block your path. It is often emotional and feels like a betrayal.
How To Use It
You can use this for people, groups, or even abstract things. You say someone turns against someone. For example, "The crowd turned against the singer." You can also use it for things like your body or your mind. "My stomach turned against me after that spicy taco." It usually implies a shift from positive to negative.
When To Use It
Use it when discussing drama, politics, or sports. It is perfect for describing a plot twist in a movie. It works well when a situation becomes hostile. If your best friend starts hanging out with your rival, they have turned against you. It is a strong phrase, so use it when the change feels significant.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for small, temporary disagreements. If your mom says no to a cookie, she hasn't turned against you. She is just being a mom. Also, avoid it for simple mechanical failures. You wouldn't say your car turned against you if it ran out of gas. That is just bad maintenance, not a betrayal!
Cultural Background
In English-speaking cultures, loyalty is a huge theme in storytelling. From Shakespeare to modern spy movies, the "betrayal" moment is a classic trope. Turn against captures that cinematic feeling of a former ally becoming a villain. It reflects a culture that values consistent support and finds sudden shifts in behavior very dramatic.
Common Variations
You might hear turn on someone. This is very similar but often feels more violent or aggressive. Turn against is broader and can be a slow process. You might also hear the tide turned against them. This means the general situation or luck has changed for the worse. It is like being at the beach and the waves suddenly start pulling you out to sea.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
The phrase is very versatile and fits almost any register. Just be careful with the intensity; using it for a minor disagreement might make you sound a bit like a drama queen!
The 'Body' Trick
Use this phrase to sound more native when you're sick. Instead of 'I have a headache,' try 'My head has turned against me today.'
Don't confuse with 'Turn on'
While similar, 'turn on' can also mean 'to excite' in a slang context. Stick to 'turn against' to be safe and clear about betrayal.
The Crowd's Favor
In English, we often talk about 'the tide turning.' It comes from the ocean—if the tide turns against you, you are fighting nature itself!
أمثلة
6I can't believe his own brother turned against him in the final scene!
I can't believe his own brother turned against him in the final scene!
Describes a betrayal in a story.
I loved that pizza at first, but my stomach turned against me an hour later.
I loved that pizza at first, but my stomach turned against me an hour later.
A humorous way to say food made you sick.
The board members turned against the CEO after the scandal broke.
The board members turned against the CEO after the scandal broke.
Professional context describing a loss of corporate support.
The whole group chat turned against me because I said I hate Taylor Swift.
The whole group chat turned against me because I said I hate Taylor Swift.
Informal use for social disagreement.
Public opinion quickly turned against the new law.
Public opinion quickly turned against the new law.
Neutral use for general sentiment shifts.
The home fans turned against the team after they missed the penalty.
The home fans turned against the team after they missed the penalty.
Describes fans booing their own team.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the correct word to complete the betrayal scenario.
After the secret was revealed, her closest friends ___ against her.
`Turned against` is the standard collocation for a shift in loyalty.
Complete the sentence regarding a change in luck.
Everything was going well until the weather turned ___ us.
When conditions become unfavorable, we say they turn `against` us.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality of 'Turn Against'
Used with friends about small betrayals.
My cat turned against me.
Standard use in news and stories.
The voters turned against him.
Used in legal or historical contexts.
The witness turned against the defendant.
When to use 'Turn Against'
Betrayal
A friend joins your rival.
Public Opinion
A celebrity loses fans.
Physical Health
Your allergies act up.
War/Conflict
An ally switches sides.
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةUsually, yes. It implies that someone who was once friendly is now acting with hostility or opposition, like in The neighbors turned against us.
Yes! You can say The weather turned against us or Technology has turned against me when your computer crashes.
It is similar, but turn against describes the *action* of changing sides, while betray focuses on the broken trust. He turned against his country sounds more active.
It might sound a bit dramatic. Instead of saying My old boss turned against me, try We had a disagreement in direction.
It is neutral. You will see it in serious history books and hear it in casual gossip at a cafe.
It is an irregular verb, so the past tense is turned against. For example, They turned against the idea yesterday.
No, the preposition is always against. You turn against someone or something.
No, it is much stronger. If you disagree, you just have a different opinion. If you turn against someone, you are actively opposing them.
Yes, it is very common in news. The nation turned against the war means the majority of people stopped supporting it.
Not at all. Turn back means to return to where you started. Turn against means to become an enemy.
عبارات ذات صلة
Turn on someone
To suddenly attack or criticize someone you were just friendly with.
Stab in the back
To betray someone who trusted you (more idiomatic).
Go sour
When a relationship or situation starts to become bad or hostile.
Bite the hand that feeds you
To turn against someone who is helping or supporting you.
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