ill turn
/'il'tə:n/
Definition
Noun: - An unkind or harmful action done to someone, often one that causes them difficulty or harm. It typically refers to a specific deed that negatively impacts another person. - (American English) A downturn or decline in health, fortune, or condition.
Usage
The term "ill turn" is used to describe a singular, often deliberate, act that causes harm or trouble for someone else. It is a formal or literary way to say someone has done a bad deed to another.
Examples
General Harm:
- He did me an ill turn by spreading those rumors. (He harmed me by spreading those rumors.)
- I never expected such an ill turn from a friend. (I never expected such a harmful act from a friend.)
American English Usage (Decline):
- The business took an ill turn last quarter. (The business experienced a downturn last quarter.)
- Her health has taken an ill turn. (Her health has declined.)
Advanced Usage
- "to do someone an ill turn": This is the most common phrase. It means to perform a harmful action against someone.
- By revealing the secret, she did him a great ill turn. (By revealing the secret, she caused him great harm.)
Variants and Related Words
- Disservice (n): An action that is unhelpful or harmful. This is a close synonym, though a "disservice" can sometimes be unintentional, while an "ill turn" often implies more deliberate harm.
- He did them a disservice by giving bad advice.
- Ill will (n): Unfriendly or hostile feelings. This is related but refers to the feeling, not the action.
- She bore him no ill will despite the argument.
Synonyms
- Wrong: An unjust or immoral act.
- Injury: Harm or damage.
- Misdeed: A wrong or illegal act.
Related Phrases
- A nasty trick: A mean or unpleasant action intended to deceive or harm.
- Playing that nasty trick was a real ill turn.
- A bad turn: A less formal synonym for "ill turn."
- He did his neighbor a bad turn by complaining to the landlord.
Related Idioms
- To return the favor (with an ill turn): To respond to someone's action, but with a harmful one instead of a kind one.
- After he sabotaged her project, she was determined to return the favor with an ill turn.
Noun
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an act intended to help that turns out badly
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he did them a disservice
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