turn on

verb

1. (tr, adverb) to cause (something) to operate by turning a knob, etc

   to turn on the light

2. (intr, preposition) to depend or hinge on

   the success of the party turns on you

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

   the dog turned on the children

4. informal,  (tr, adverb) to produce (charm, tears, etc) suddenly or automatically

5. informal,  to interest (someone) in something

   how to turn kids on to drama

6. slang,  (tr, adverb) to arouse emotionally or sexually

7. slang,  (intr, adverb) to take or become intoxicated by drugs

8. slang,  (tr, adverb) to introduce (someone) to drugs

noun

1. slang,  a person or thing that causes emotional or sexual arousal

Idioms and Phrases

Cause to begin the operation, flow, or activity of, as in Turn on the lights, please , or Don't turn on the sprinkler yet . [First half of 1800s]

Begin to display, employ, or exude, as in He turned on the charm . [Late 1800s]

Also, . Take or cause to take a mind-altering drug, as in The boys were excited about turning on , or They tried to get her high , or I told them I wouldn't get on tonight . [ Slang ; mid-1900s]

Be or cause to become excited or interested, as in His mother was the first to turn him on to classical music . [c. 1900]

Be or become sexually aroused, as in He blushed when she asked him what turned him on . [Second half of 1900s]

Also, turn upon . Depend on, relate to, as in The entire plot turns on mistaken identity . This usage, first recorded in 1661, uses turn in the sense of “revolve on an axis or hinge.”

Also, turn upon . Attack, become hostile toward, as in Although normally friendly, the dog suddenly turned on everyone who came to the door . Also see turn against .

Example Sentences

The truck had been going east on Bishop Street and making a turn on the roundabout when it hit the woman as she was crossing the street, authorities said.

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"India prides itself on not turning on its friends," according to Mr Kugelman.

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A massive explosion that destroyed a home in Chino Hills over the weekend was sparked by someone turning on a lamp while the house was filled with gas, according to a neighbor.

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Some wireless thermostats are connected to the internet and can be turned on remotely.

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"Every time the Treasury attention turns on a sector, they stop doing anything."

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Related Words

• activate 
• log on www.thesaurus.com
• put on 
• switch on