turnup
LowInformal
Definition
Meaning
The turned-up hem or cuff of a trouser leg.
An unexpected or surprising event, especially a piece of good luck; also refers to the act of arriving or appearing.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a noun, 'turnup' has two distinct meanings: 1) a clothing feature (more common in UK English), 2) an unexpected occurrence (idiomatic). The clothing sense is often spelled as two words ('turn-up') in formal writing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'turnup' (or 'turn-up') primarily refers to trouser cuffs. In American English, the clothing sense is less common ('cuffs' is preferred), while the idiomatic sense ('a lucky turnup') is understood but rare.
Connotations
UK: Practical clothing detail. US: Slightly old-fashioned or literary when used idiomatically.
Frequency
The clothing sense is moderately common in UK English but very low frequency in US English. The idiomatic sense is low frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
a turnup of [noun]turnup in [noun]turnup on [garment]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a turnup for the books”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in informal contexts: 'The contract renewal was a real turnup.'
Academic
Extremely rare, except in historical fashion studies.
Everyday
Used in UK English when discussing clothing alterations or unexpected events.
Technical
Not used in technical registers.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- His trousers had a muddy turnup.
- What a lucky turnup!
- The tailor asked if I wanted turnups on my new suit trousers.
- Finding my lost ring was a real turnup.
- The turnups on his jeans were frayed from dragging on the ground.
- After all the bad news, her promotion was a welcome turnup.
- The fashion for wide turnups on trousers comes and goes cyclically.
- The last-minute acquittal was a turnup that stunned the legal community.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of TURNing UP your trousers to see the TURNUP.
Conceptual Metaphor
GOOD FORTUNE IS AN UNEXPECTED ARRIVAL (for the idiomatic sense).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'turn up' (phrasal verb) meaning to arrive or increase volume.
- The clothing sense is specific to trousers/pants, not general hems.
- The idiomatic sense is not directly translatable as 'поворот'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'turnup' as a verb (it's a noun).
- Misspelling as 'turn-up' in closed compound contexts.
- Overusing the idiomatic sense in formal writing.
Practice
Quiz
In British English, 'turnup' most commonly refers to:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be written as one word ('turnup') or hyphenated ('turn-up'), especially in British English. The closed compound is increasingly common.
No. 'Turn up' (two words) is the phrasal verb. 'Turnup' is exclusively a noun.
It's a British idiom meaning a surprising or unexpected event, especially a reversal of fortune.
It is understood but very rare. Americans typically say 'cuffs' for trousers.