turn-up

A tailor adjusts the turn-up on a pair of trousers.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A fold or hem: "turn-up" refers to the part of a garment, such as a trouser leg or sleeve, that is folded upward and often stitched in place.
   • A card that is turned up: In card games, "turn-up" can mean the card that is turned over to determine the trump suit or the starting player.
   • An unexpected event or surprise: Informally, "turn-up" denotes a sudden, often chaotic or disorderly occurrence, such as a brawl or disturbance.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • He wore trousers with a sharp turn-up at the ankle. (A folded hem on the bottom of the trousers.)
  • The dealer revealed the turn-up, and it was the ace of spades. (The card turned over to set the game.)
  • There was a real turn-up at the pub last night — a fight broke out. (An unexpected disturbance or brawl.)

Advanced Usage

• "a turn-up for the books": an unexpected and surprising event.

  • Her winning the lottery was a turn-up for the books. (An unforeseen and remarkable occurrence.)

• "turn-up of the collar": to fold the collar of a coat upward, often for warmth or style.

  • He adjusted the turn-up of his jacket to block the wind. (The folded part of the collar.)

Variants and Related Words

• Turn up (phrasal verb): to arrive or appear; to increase the volume or intensity of something.

  • She didn't turn up for the meeting. (She failed to arrive.)
  • Please turn up the radio. (Increase the volume.)

• Turned-up (adj): having a fold or upward bend.

  • His turned-up nose gave him a playful look. (His nose had an upward curve.)

Synonyms

• Hem: a folded edge of cloth.
• Cuff: a folded or sewn band at the bottom of a sleeve or trouser leg.
• Surprise: an unexpected event.

Phrasal Verbs

• Turn up: to appear or be found unexpectedly.

  • My lost keys turned up under the sofa. (They were found unexpectedly.)

• Turn up one's nose: to show disdain or rejection.

  • He turned up his nose at the simple meal. (He showed contempt.)

Related Idioms

• Turn up like a bad penny: to appear repeatedly in an unwelcome way.

  • That old acquaintance always turns up like a bad penny. (He keeps appearing annoyingly.)

• Turn up the heat: to increase pressure or intensity.

  • The police turned up the heat on the investigation. (They intensified their efforts.)