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turn against

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turn someone or something against someone or something

to cause someone to defy or revolt against someone or something; to make someone antagonistic toward someone or something. He turned the whole board against Molly. She turned the city council against the proposed law.

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turn against somebody

to change from supporting to opposing someone A lot of his supporters turned against him.

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turn somebody/something against somebody/something

to cause someone or something to oppose someone or something else He took all of our proposals and turned them against us. Advisors have been trying to turn the president against increased military spending.

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turn against

Become or make antagonistic to, as in Adolescents often turn against their parents, but only temporarily, or She turned him against his colleagues by telling him they were spying on him. [First half of 1800s]

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turn against

v.

1. To change one's actions or attitudes to be against someone or something; become hostile or antagonistic toward someone or something: The peasants turned against the cruel ruler.

2. To cause someone or something to act or go against someone or something; make someone or something antagonistic toward someone or something: The scandal turned public opinion against the candidate. They turned my family against me.

See also: turn