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turn away

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turn (someone or an animal) away (from something)

to cause someone or an animal to avoid moving toward something; to cause someone or an animal to avoid moving toward harm. The police officer turned the pedestrians away from the scene of the accident. He turned the horses away from the gate.

See also: away, turn

turn somebody/something away

also turn away somebody/something

to refuse to see or talk to someone, or to consider something If anyone comes to the door, just turn them away. She has turned away every opportunity to improve her English in the last ten years.

See also: away, turn

turn away

1. Send away, dismiss, as in They ran short and had to turn away many customers. [Late 1500s]

2. Repel, as in The high prices turned away prospective buyers.

3. Avert, deflect, as in She managed to turn away all criticism. [Late 1300s]

See also: away, turn

turn away

v.

1. To rotate and face another direction; avert one's eyes: I tried to speak to my friends, but they just turned away. Turn away while I get dressed.

2. To send someone or something away; dismiss someone or something: We turned away the people who were looking for a job. The new boss turns all criticism away.

3. To repel someone or something: The poor location of the house turned away prospective buyers. The horrible smell turned the police officer away.

4. turn away from To abandon or forsake someone or something: The volunteers turned away from the agency because they felt unappreciated.

5. turn away from To cause someone or something to abandon or forsake someone or something: Their college life turned our children away from our traditional values.

See also: away, turn