turnaround
/ˈtɜːn.ər.aʊnd/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈɚnɚˌaʊnd] /ˈtɝːn.ɚ.aʊnd/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈtɜːnəraʊnd/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈɚnɚˌaʊnd] /ˈtɜːrnəraʊnd/ (ame, ipa) · [tˈɚnɚˌaʊnd] /ˈtərn-ə-ˌrau̇nd/ (ame, mw)
turnaround — adjective
- turnaroundpositive
- more turnaroundcomparative
- most turnaroundsuperlative
1. in basketball, describing a move where the player begins with their back to the
in basketball, describing a move where the player begins with their back to the basket and spins to face it before releasing the ball
Anna practiced her turnaround jumper until she could land it from any angle.
attributive use before 'jumper'
Leo's turnaround shot over the defender gave the team a two-point lead.
attributive use before 'shot'
Coaches teach the turnaround move to players who are tall and play near the basket.
The crowd cheered when Karim hit a turnaround from the free-throw line.
文法句型
turnaround + noun (shot, jumper, dunk)
用法筆記
Only used before a noun that names a basketball move — turnaround shot, turnaround jumper, turnaround dunk. Not used predicatively (e.g., 'the shot was turnaround').
turnaround — noun
1. the period needed after something arrives — a work request, a delivery, or a veh
the period needed after something arrives — a work request, a delivery, or a vehicle — for people to finish handling it and send it out again
The repair shop promised a 24-hour turnaround on all laptop repairs.
turnaround on + [task]
Vikram was impressed by the quick turnaround of the online printing service.
A faster turnaround at the airport gate means fewer delays for passengers.
The factory reduced its turnaround for custom orders from three weeks to five days.
Mizuki checked the lab's turnaround time before sending in blood samples.
- turnaround time
the same meaning but explicitly includes 'time', making it slightly more formal
- cycle time
used in manufacturing and operations; narrower in scope
- processing time
focuses on the work step itself rather than the full end-to-end period
文法句型
turnaround of + period
turnaround time
用法筆記
Very commonly paired with 'time' — turnaround time is the standard business term. Also used with 'on' (turnaround on a project) or 'of' (turnaround of three days).
常見錯誤
2. the change that happens when a business, economy, or project that was failing st
the change that happens when a business, economy, or project that was failing starts to do well and make money again
The new CEO led a remarkable turnaround that saved the car manufacturer from bankruptcy.
led a turnaround
Tamar invested in the tech startup just before its turnaround made it worth millions.
Heloísa studied how the retail chain's turnaround was achieved through better customer service.
Analysts credit the turnaround in sales to the company's new marketing strategy.
The school district staged a dramatic turnaround after hiring experienced teachers.
- decline
steady movement downward rather than a specific event
文法句型
turnaround in + noun
make a turnaround
stage a turnaround
用法筆記
Subject is typically a business, institution, or economy. The verb collocations 'lead', 'stage', 'engineer', and 'achieve' a turnaround are common in business writing.
常見錯誤
3. a sudden or complete change to a position, opinion, course of action, or directi
a sudden or complete change to a position, opinion, course of action, or direction that is the opposite of what came before
The politician's turnaround on environmental policy surprised both supporters and critics.
turnaround on [issue]
Public opinion about renewable energy has seen a complete turnaround over the past decade.
turnaround in [area]
Amihan could not explain her friend's sudden turnaround from cheerful to cold and distant.
The board's turnaround on the merger decision shocked investors who had expected approval.
- reversal
more formal; neutral in connotation about speed
- U-turn
informal; often implies embarrassment or hypocrisy when used in politics
- about-face
vivid military metaphor; suggests a dramatic, publicly visible change
- continuation
keeping the same course or position
- consistency
sticking with the same opinion over time
文法句型
turnaround in + noun
turnaround on + noun
用法筆記
Often used in politics, business strategy, and personal relationships. Unlike sense 2 (BUSINESS RECOVERY), this sense does not imply improvement — it just signals a reversal to the opposite.
常見錯誤
4. an area or space that is wide or long enough for a car, truck, or other vehicle
an area or space that is wide or long enough for a car, truck, or other vehicle to reverse direction by making a U-shaped turn
The dead-end street has a turnaround at the bottom so drivers can go back.
turnaround at [location]
Nala pulled into the gravel turnaround at the trailhead and parked facing the exit.
The driver used the school turnaround to turn the truck around after delivering supplies.
Builders added a concrete turnaround at the end of the long driveway for guests.
- turning circle
refers to the minimum space a vehicle needs to turn, not a constructed area
- turnaround bay
more specific term used in road construction
文法句型
turnaround for + noun
用法筆記
Common in discussions of road design, driveways, and parking areas. A turnaround is distinct from a parking spot — its purpose is turning, not storing a vehicle.
turnaround — verb
- turnaroundpresent simple I / you / we / they
- turnarounds3rd person singular
- turnarounding-ing form
- turnaroundedpast simple
1. to make a business, project, or situation change from unsuccessful or failing to
to make a business, project, or situation change from unsuccessful or failing to profitable, healthy, or successful — or to change in this way on its own
The new manager turned the restaurant around in just six months by improving the menu.
turned + noun + around (separable)
Adina's company was losing money until a fresh investment helped turn things around.
turn things around (idiomatic object)
After two bad seasons, the soccer team finally turned around and started winning games.
Marco believes that better customer feedback can turn around the struggling hotel chain.
文法句型
turn around + noun
turn + noun + around
turn around (no object)
用法筆記
In writing, the object often comes between 'turn' and 'around' (turn the business around) or after 'around' (turn around the business). The intransitive form (the company turned around) is less common but accepted.
常見錯誤
2. to suddenly behave, speak, or react in a way that is sharply different from how
to suddenly behave, speak, or react in a way that is sharply different from how you acted a moment before, often surprising the people around you
Piotr was calm during the meeting but then turned around and yelled at his assistant.
turn around and + verb (surprising action)
Adina agreed to help with the project, then turned around and quit the next day.
You cannot promise something one week and turn around and change your mind the next.
Nala turned around and accused her best friend of lying, leaving everyone stunned.
- do a U-turn
informal; specifically about reversing a decision or position
- switch sides
implies changing loyalty or allegiance
文法句型
turn around and + verb
用法筆記
Almost always followed by 'and' + another verb that names the surprising action. Expresses the speaker's disapproval or sense of betrayal.