u-turn
u-turn — noun
1. a driving move where you steer your car in a curve so that you end up facing and
a driving move where you steer your car in a curve so that you end up facing and travelling the way you just came from
Astrid made a U-turn at the traffic lights when she realised she was lost.
collocation: make a U-turn
A sign near the bridge warns drivers that no U-turn is allowed here.
collocation: no U-turn (prohibition sign)
The taxi driver did a quick U-turn to drop Ishaan at the right gate.
Heavy traffic made it hard to perform a safe U-turn on the narrow street.
- about-turn
British; can mean the physical turn but more often the figurative reversal
文法句型
make a U-turn
用法筆記
Almost always the object of 'make', 'do', or 'pull' — you 'make a U-turn', not 'turn a U-turn'.
常見錯誤
2. a total switch in someone's opinion or plan, where they end up supporting the ve
a total switch in someone's opinion or plan, where they end up supporting the very thing they used to be against
The government did a complete U-turn on the new tax after weeks of protest.
collocation: a U-turn on [issue]
Critics accused the minister of a humiliating U-turn over school funding.
collocation: U-turn over [issue]; negative connotation
Tamar praised the company's U-turn on plastic packaging as a smart move.
The sudden U-turn left voters wondering what the party really believed.
- reversal
more neutral; doesn't carry the same hint of embarrassment
- about-face
American; a sudden complete change of opinion or position
文法句型
a U-turn on something
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense takes an issue, not a place — 'a U-turn on policy', and it usually carries a critical or embarrassing tone.
常見錯誤
u-turn — verb
- u-turnpresent simple I / you / we / they
- u-turns3rd person singular
- u-turning-ing form
- u-turnedpast simple
1. to swing a vehicle right around so that you head back the way you have just driv
to swing a vehicle right around so that you head back the way you have just driven
Roya U-turned at the gas station once the map showed the wrong exit.
intransitive: U-turn at [place]
You cannot U-turn here, so drive to the next roundabout instead.
pattern: cannot U-turn (prohibition)
The delivery van U-turned slowly outside the quiet village school.
Ada signalled, checked her mirror, and U-turned across the empty road.
- turn around
plainer everyday phrase for the same action
文法句型
U-turn (at a place)
用法筆記
Mostly informal and used without an object; in careful writing 'make a U-turn' (the noun) is preferred over the verb.
2. to swing fully from one view or plan to its opposite, backing what you once reje
to swing fully from one view or plan to its opposite, backing what you once rejected
The board U-turned on the layoffs after staff threatened to quit in protest.
intransitive: U-turn on [issue]
Critics laughed when the senator U-turned on the very law he had written.
pattern: U-turn on [previous position]
Esteban U-turned on his promise to sell the family farm.
The club U-turned on its dress rule once younger members complained loudly.
- stand firm
to refuse to change one's position at all
文法句型
U-turn on something
用法筆記
Distinguish from verb sense 1: this sense always takes 'on' plus an issue or promise, never a place, and describes opinions rather than driving.