turn sour

USAGE SUMMARY

"turn sour" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a change of opinion or attitude. For example: After years of friendship, their relationship suddenly turned sour when they had a disagreement.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You turn sour.

The New Yorker

Perhaps another 40% could turn sour.

The Economist

Many of those loans could turn sour.

The Economist

Money is divisive when things turn sour.

The Guardian - Business

How did things turn sour so fast?

The New York Times

This could turn sour in the afternoon.

The Guardian - Sport

But things will turn sour on Monday.

The Guardian

History supplies many examples of revolutions that turn sour.

The New York Times

Even the most giddy affairs can turn sour quicksmart.

The Guardian - Sport

"But I hope the bank's promises don't turn sour.

The New York Times

How will they handle it if things turn sour quickly?

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "turn sour" to describe a situation, relationship, or emotion that has deteriorated or become negative. It's often effective in narratives to signal a shift in tone or circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "turn sour" excessively in situations that are only mildly disappointing. Save it for scenarios where there's a significant and undesirable shift in the nature of things, as overusing it can dilute its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "turn sour" functions primarily as an intransitive verb phrase. It describes a change of state, indicating that something has deteriorated or become unpleasant. Ludwig shows this in numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "turn sour" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a deterioration or negative change in a situation, relationship, or even an object. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its frequency is high, especially in news and media, and it carries a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts. When writing, use it to signal a significant decline, but avoid overuse to maintain its impact. If you need alternatives, consider phrases like "take a turn for the worse" or "become unpleasant" to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take a turn for the worse

Highlights a significant negative shift.

go wrong

Indicates a deviation from the intended outcome.

become unpleasant

Focuses on the shift to an undesirable state.

go downhill

Suggests a gradual decline.

deteriorate rapidly

Emphasizes quick decline or worsening.

fall apart

Implies complete failure or disintegration.

descend into acrimony

Indicates an escalating conflict or bitterness.

become hostile

Emphasizes the development of unfriendly relations.

become strained

Focuses on tension in a relationship.

devolve into chaos

Highlights a slide into disorder and confusion.

FAQs

How can I use "turn sour" in a sentence?

You can use "turn sour" to describe a situation, relationship, or even food that has deteriorated or become unpleasant. For example, "The negotiations "took a turn for the worse" when the opposing party introduced new demands."

What are some alternatives to "turn sour"?

Alternatives include phrases like "become unpleasant", "deteriorate rapidly", or "take a turn for the worse", each carrying slightly different nuances.

Is it correct to say 'turned more sour' instead of "turn sour"?

While grammatically understandable, "turned more sour" is less common and less idiomatic than "turn sour". The phrase "turn sour" already implies a change, so adding "more" can be redundant.

What's the difference between "turn sour" and "become bitter"?

"Turn sour" generally describes a deterioration in circumstances or relationships, whereas "become bitter" often refers to a person's emotional state, suggesting resentment or cynicism. You might say "The deal turned sour", but "He became bitter after the betrayal".