turn against

British  

verb

1. (preposition) to change or cause to change one's attitude so as to become hostile or to retaliate

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turn against Idioms  

1. Become or make antagonistic to, as in Adolescents often turn against their parents, but only temporarily, or She turned him against his colleagues by telling him they were spying on him. [First half of 1800s]

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Example Sentences

“The outsiders prioritize their freedom to speak their version of the truth. The price of their freedom is that they are ignored by the insiders, who make the important decisions. The insiders, for their part, follow a sacrosanct rule: never turn against other insiders and never talk to outsiders about what insiders say or do. Their reward? Access to inside information and a chance, though no guarantee, of influencing powerful people and outcomes.”

From Salon

Women are affected far more often than men, in part because the immune changes that protect pregnancy can later make the immune system more likely to turn against the body.

From The Wall Street Journal

A once-strong ruler weakens, her supporters turn against her, and a dramatic change in leadership follows.

From Science Daily

They are also part of a larger cultural turn against striving and wealth creation, which is showing up in the work habits and preferences of many young workers.

From The Wall Street Journal

Marissa and Jenny have the kind of bond that Fanning recognizes in her own life: “Actually really supportive and loving and people that you lean on when times get tough as opposed to turn against.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• defy
• overthrow
• renounce
• resist
• revolt
• secede
• take up arms