turn in
B1Neutral to Informal (for 'go to bed' meaning)
Definition
Meaning
To give something to a person in authority; to submit or hand over.
To go to bed; to produce a particular result, performance, or quality; to inform on someone to authorities.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A phrasal verb with multiple distinct meanings. The 'submit' meaning is literal and transactional. The 'go to bed' meaning is idiomatic and informal. The 'inform on' meaning is negative and connotes betrayal.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The 'go to bed' meaning is more common in American English. 'Hand in' is a frequent British alternative for the 'submit' meaning.
Connotations
In both varieties, 'turn someone in' has a strong connotation of betrayal. 'Turn in' (bed) is casual.
Frequency
Overall frequency is similar. 'Turn in' (submit) is slightly more formal in British English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] turns in [Object (thing)][Subject] turns in [Object (person)][Subject] turns in [Object (performance/result)][Subject] turns inVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “turn in one's grave”
- “turn in a tidy profit”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The team needs to turn in the quarterly figures by Friday."
Academic
"Students must turn in their dissertations by the final deadline."
Everyday
"I'm exhausted; I think I'll turn in early tonight."
Technical
"The engine turned in an efficiency rating of 95%."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Please hand in your assignments at the front desk. (Common BrE alternative)
- He decided to turn himself in to the police.
American English
- Don't forget to turn in your permission slips.
- She turned in a stunning audition tape.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I turn in my homework every morning.
- It's late. I want to turn in.
- You need to turn in the rental car by noon.
- The athlete turned in a personal best time.
- Faced with the evidence, the suspect turned himself in.
- The company turned in record profits this year.
- Critics praised the director for turning in such a nuanced and provocative film.
- Under the plea deal, he agreed to turn in his former associates.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine turning a paper INto the teacher's hand. You physically rotate it INto their possession.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMPLETION IS A PHYSICAL HANDOVER (submission), SLEEP IS A TURNING MOTION (going to bed).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'вращать внутри'. For 'go to bed', it is not 'поворачивать в'. Use 'сдавать' (submit), 'ложиться спать' (sleep), or 'сдать/предать' (inform).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'turn in' for simply 'rotating' an object ('He turned in the chair' is wrong for spinning). Confusing 'turn in' with 'turn into' (transform).
Practice
Quiz
In American English, which sentence correctly uses 'turn in' to mean 'go to bed'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are often interchangeable for the 'submit' meaning, but 'hand in' is more purely physical (handing a paper) and slightly more common in British English. 'Turn in' can have broader application (turning in a performance, turning in for the night).
It depends on the meaning. 'Turn in' (submit) is neutral. 'Turn in' (go to bed) is informal. 'Turn someone in' (inform) is neutral but carries a negative connotation.
Yes, for the 'go to bed' meaning (e.g., 'Goodnight, I'm turning in.') and sometimes for the 'submit' meaning if the object is clear from context (e.g., 'Is your report ready to turn in?').
It means to achieve or produce a particular performance or result. E.g., 'The rookie turned in a flawless game,' meaning the rookie delivered a flawless performance.
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