turn away

Meaning

'Turn away' has two main meanings. Physically, it means to move your face or body so you are not looking at someone or something. Figuratively, it means to refuse entry to someone (such as at a club, hotel, or border) or to reject someone's help or support.

Examples

• The concert was completely sold out, so the guards had to turn away hundreds of fans.

  The concert was completely sold out, so the guards had to turn away hundreds of fans.

• She had to turn her face away to hide her tears from her coworkers.

  She had to turn her face away to hide her tears from her coworkers.

• The shelter promised never to turn away anyone who needs a warm meal.

  The shelter promised never to turn away anyone who needs a warm meal.

• It was hard to watch the scary scene in the movie, so I had to turn away.

  It was hard to watch the scary scene in the movie, so I had to turn away.

• They turned away our application because we submitted it past the deadline.

  They turned away our application because we submitted it past the deadline.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The security guard turned away to the tourists.

  ✓ The security guard turned away the tourists.

  When 'turn away' means to refuse entry, it is a transitive phrasal verb and does not need the preposition 'to' before the object.

• ✗ I turned away at the door because it was locked.

  ✓ I was turned away at the door because it was locked.

  If you are the one refused entry, you must use the passive voice ('be turned away'). 'I turned away' means you physically looked away or walked away voluntarily.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The nightclub was too crowded, so we were ___ at the door.

  💡 Refused entry (passive form).

  Show answer

  turned away

• The sight of blood makes me squeamish, so I always have to ___.

  💡 Look in another direction.

  Show answer

  turn away