turn over

British  

verb

1. to change or cause to change position, esp so as to reverse top and bottom

2. to start (an engine), esp with a starting handle, or (of an engine) to start or function correctly

3. to shift or cause to shift position, as by rolling from side to side

4. (tr) to deliver; transfer

5. (tr) to consider carefully

   he turned over the problem for hours

6. (tr)

   1. to sell and replenish (stock in trade)

   2. to transact business and so generate gross revenue of (a specified sum)

7. (tr) to invest and recover (capital)

8. slang (tr) to rob

9. slang (tr) to defeat utterly

10. to reform; resolve to improve one's behaviour

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noun

1. 1. the amount of business, usually expressed in terms of gross revenue, transacted during a specified period

   2. ( as modifier )

      a turnover tax

2. the rate at which stock in trade is sold and replenished

3. a change or reversal of position

4. a small semicircular or triangular pastry case filled with fruit, jam, etc

5. 1. the number of workers employed by a firm in a given period to replace those who have left

   2. the ratio between this number and the average number of employees during the same period

6. banking the amount of capital funds loaned on call during a specified period

adjective

1. (prenominal) able or designed to be turned or folded over

   a turnover collar

turn over Idioms  

1. Invert, bring the bottom to the top, as in We have to turn over the soil before we plant anything . [Second half of 1300s]

2. Shift position, as by rolling from side to side. For example, This bed is so narrow I can barely turn over . [First half of 1700s]

3. Rotate, cycle, as in The engine turned over but the car wouldn't start . [Early 1900s]

4. Think about, consider, as in She turned over the idea in her mind . [Early 1800s]

5. Transfer to another, surrender, as in I turned over the funds to the children . [Mid-1500s]

6. Do business to the extent or amount of, as in We hoped the company would turn over a million dollars the first year . [Mid-1800s]

7. Seem to lurch or heave convulsively, as in The plane hit an air pocket and my stomach turned over . [Second half of 1800s]

8. Replace or renew the constituent parts, as in Half of our staff turns over every few years . [Mid-1900s] Also see turn over a new leaf .

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Example Sentences

“I’m going to get in big trouble here, but you see how your legs turn over and it makes the corners in the second half of your race much better.”

From The Wall Street Journal

The case was later turned over to federal prosecutors, who in 2008 made a controversial plea deal with Epstein that included a non-prosecution agreement that protected him from more serious charges.

From BBC

He tried to turn over on his hospital bed, but he couldn’t because his arm hurt too much.

From Literature

Washington is among the 24 states and territories sued for refusing to turn over voter rolls.

From Salon

As she spread it in front of her, she turned over her right hand.

From Literature

Related Words

• assign
• convey
• deliver
• entrust
• give up
• hand over
• pass on
• provide
• relinquish
• supply
• surrender