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turn against

B2
UK/tɜːn əˈɡɛnst/US/tɜːrn əˈɡɛnst/

Neutral to formal; common in news, political analysis, narrative, and everyday interpersonal contexts.

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Definition

Meaning

to stop supporting or being friendly with someone or something and start opposing them.

To cause a person, group, or one's own feelings to become hostile or antagonistic towards a former ally, belief, or system. It implies a reversal of loyalty or support.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

A phrasal verb indicating a shift from positive/neutral to negative alignment. Often involves emotional betrayal or political realignment. Can be used reflexively ('turn against oneself') to indicate self-sabotage or internal conflict.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Usage is virtually identical. Minor differences may arise in typical collocates due to cultural/political contexts (e.g., 'turn against the crown' vs. 'turn against the administration').

Connotations

Equally strong connotations of betrayal and shift in allegiance in both dialects.

Frequency

Slightly higher frequency in UK political journalism, but the difference is negligible.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
public opinion turned againstthe allies turned againstto turn violently againstturn the people against
medium
turn against the governmentturn against his friendsturn against the ideafeelings turned against
weak
turn against the planturn against the leaderturn against the policy

Grammar

Valency Patterns

[Subject] turn against [Object][Subject] turn [Object] (e.g., the crowd) against [Target][Subject] turn against [Object] over [Issue]

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

betrayrevolt againstdefect from

Neutral

become hostile torejectrenounce

Weak

disagree withwithdraw support fromdistance oneself from

Vocabulary

Antonyms

stand byremain loyal tosupportdefendally with

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “A friend turned foe.”
  • “To turn one's back on someone.”
  • “Bite the hand that feeds you.”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Shareholders turned against the CEO after the profit warning.

Academic

The study explores how populist movements can turn against the institutions they initially sought to reform.

Everyday

I can't believe she turned against me over such a small misunderstanding.

Technical

The immune system can turn against the body's own tissues, causing autoimmune disease.

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

  • The backbenchers threatened to turn against the whip if the bill proceeded.
  • Her own insecurities gradually turned her against her colleagues.

American English

  • The voters turned against the incumbent after the gaffe.
  • He managed to turn the entire board against the proposed merger.

adverb

British English

  • Not applicable as a phrasal verb.

American English

  • Not applicable as a phrasal verb.

adjective

British English

  • Not applicable as a phrasal verb.

American English

  • Not applicable as a phrasal verb.

Examples

By CEFR Level

A2
  • My dog never turns against me.
  • The children turned against the new game quickly.
B1
  • Why did you turn against your old friend?
  • Many fans turned against the team after they lost the important match.
B2
  • The minister's controversial comments caused the media to turn against him.
  • She felt the community had turned against her family.
C1
  • The narrative was skilfully used to turn public opinion against the reforms.
  • Having been his staunchest defender, her decision to turn against him in court was devastating.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of a key TURNing in a lock AGAINST its usual direction, thus locking you out instead of letting you in.

Conceptual Metaphor

ALLEGIANCE IS DIRECTION / LOYALTY IS A FACING ORIENTATION. To turn against is to physically reorient oneself to face an opponent.

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

  • Avoid direct calque 'повернуть против'. Use 'предать' (betray) for strong emotional context, 'отвернуться от' (turn away from), or 'восстать против' (revolt against) depending on nuance.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'turn on' as a complete synonym (while similar, 'turn on' can imply sudden, surprised attack; 'turn against' implies a longer process of alienation).
  • Incorrect preposition: 'turn from' or 'turn to against'.
  • Using it intransitively without an object: 'After the scandal, public opinion turned.' (Incomplete).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
After the leaked emails, even his most loyal supporters began to him.
Multiple Choice

Which scenario BEST illustrates 'turn against'?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, it is separable. You can say 'He turned his friends against me' or 'He turned against his friends.'

'Rebel against' implies open, often organised, resistance or defiance against authority. 'Turn against' is broader, covering shifts in personal loyalty, opinion, or support, not necessarily involving active rebellion.

Yes, in a figurative sense. E.g., 'The weather turned against us,' or 'His luck turned against him.' It means circumstances became unfavourable.

It is an action verb (dynamic) describing a process of change in allegiance or sentiment, not a continuous state.

Explore

Related Words

defyoverthrowrenounceresistrevoltsecede