turn of events
turn of events — noun
1. an unexpected development that alters the way a particular situation unfolds or
an unexpected development that alters the way a particular situation unfolds or ends
The judge called for a short break after an unexpected turn of events in court.
prepositional phrase: after + a/an + turn of events
In a dramatic turn of events, the rescue team found the missing girl alive.
in a/an + adjective + turn of events
Adisa could not believe this turn of events at the scholarship committee.
This sudden turn of events forced the CEO to delay the company merger.
collocation: sudden turn of events
- unexpected turn of events
- surprising turn of events
- dramatic turn of events
- sudden turn of events
- development
more neutral, does not imply surprise
- twist
more dramatic, often used in stories or plots
- status quo
the existing state of affairs, no change
Grammar Patterns
a/an + (unexpected/surprising/dramatic) + turn of events
Usage Note
Often preceded by an adjective such as 'unexpected', 'surprising', 'dramatic', or 'sudden' to emphasise how striking the change is.
Common Mistakes
2. a moment when the direction or nature of ongoing events shifts noticeably
a moment when the direction or nature of ongoing events shifts noticeably
Kenji and Greta were shocked by the sudden turn of events at a small café.
collocation: sudden turn of events
This turn of events raised new questions about safety at the old warehouse.
After a fire shut the factory, the mayor addressed reporters about the turn of events.
causal clause shows what triggered the shift
Doctors at the clinic were shocked by the rapid turn of events that morning.
collocation: rapid turn of events
- recent turn of events
- rapid turn of events
- turn of events that morning
- change of course
suggests a deliberate redirection rather than an external shift
Grammar Patterns
a/an + turn of events + verb
Usage Note
Unlike sense 1, this sense does not necessarily imply a final outcome — the focus is on a change in the ongoing course of things rather than a result.