turn on
Definition
Verb (transitive):
- To cause a device or system to start operating: To activate the flow of electricity, water, or functionality to a machine or appliance, typically by using a switch, knob, or button.
- To cause someone to feel sudden, strong sexual excitement or attraction: To stimulate someone sexually or make someone feel very interested in a romantic or erotic way.
- To cause someone to become suddenly hostile or aggressive: To attack or become antagonistic toward someone, often unexpectedly.
- To cause a particular quality, behavior, or emotion to appear suddenly or automatically: To produce or exhibit a specific trait, charm, or emotional display on demand.
Verb (intransitive):
- To become hostile or aggressive toward someone: To suddenly attack or oppose a person or group.
- To depend or be contingent on something: For one event or outcome to be determined by another factor. (Note: This meaning is often expressed with the phrasal verb "turn on" followed by a preposition like "upon," but the core unit is "turn on.")
Verb (slang):
- To become under the influence of a drug; to get high: To experience the effects of a narcotic substance.
Usage Examples
- Verb (transitive - activate a device):
- Please turn on the lights; it's getting dark.
- She turned on the television to watch the news.
- Verb (transitive - sexually excite):
- His confidence really turns her on.
- That kind of music doesn't turn me on at all.
- Verb (transitive - cause hostility):
- Why did you turn on your best friend like that?
- The politician turned on his former allies.
- Verb (transitive - produce suddenly):
- He can turn on the charm when he needs to.
- Don't turn on the waterworks just to get your way.
- Verb (intransitive - become hostile):
- The dog turned on its owner.
- Verb (slang - get high):
- They turned on with some marijuana.
Advanced Usage
- "turn on a dime": To change direction or opinion very quickly and precisely.
- This car can turn on a dime.
- His political stance seems to turn on a dime.
- The phrasal verb is separable. The object (e.g., , ) can be placed between "turn" and "on" or after "turn on."
- Turn the lights on. / Turn on the lights.
- He turns her on. / He turns on her with his criticism. (Note: The meaning changes based on word order in this example.)
Variants and Related Words
- Switch on: A near-synonym for the "activate" meaning. ()
- Turn-on (noun): Something that causes sexual excitement or strong interest.
- Intelligence is a real turn-on for her.
- Turned on (adjective): Sexually excited or aroused.
- She felt turned on by his conversation.
Synonyms
- Activate / Switch on: For starting a device.
- Arouse / Excite: For causing sexual stimulation.
- Attack / Betray: For becoming hostile.
- Depend on / Hinge on: For being contingent.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Turn upon: A more formal variant often used for the "depend on" or "become hostile" meanings.
- The success of the mission turns upon this one decision.
- He turned upon his mentors in a shocking speech.
- Turn off: The direct antonym for most meanings (deactivate, cause dislike, repel sexually).
Related Idioms
- Turn on the heat: To increase pressure or intensity in a situation.
- The prosecutor really turned on the heat during the cross-examination.
- Turn on its head: To completely reverse or颠覆 an idea or situation.
- The new evidence turned the theory on its head.
Verb
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get high, stoned, or drugged
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He trips every weekend
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stimulate sexually
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This movie usually arouses the male audience
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cause to be agitated, excited, or roused
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The speaker charged up the crowd with his inflammatory remarks
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become hostile towards
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The dog suddenly turned on the mailman
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produce suddenly or automatically
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Turn on the charm
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turn on the waterworks
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be contingent on
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The outcomes rides on the results of the election
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Your grade will depends on your homework
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cause to operate by flipping a switch
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switch on the light
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turn on the stereo
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