turn things around

USAGE SUMMARY

"turn things around" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to describe a situation where one has changed a negative outcome or situation to a more positive one. For example: Despite having a slow start, the team managed to turn things around and won the championship.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But can he turn things around?

The Economist

How did the team turn things around?

The New York Times

Can the Wolverines turn things around?

The New York Times

"And you can turn things around quickly".

The New York Times - Sports

Can the Cowboys turn things around?

The New York Times

Can he turn things around?

The Guardian - Sport

Would this turn things around?

The New York Times

Why didn't the cuts turn things around?

The Guardian

How can the region turn things around?

The New York Times

"We're trying to turn things around".

The Guardian - Tech

The Fed cannot turn things around on its own.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about specific plans or strategies, follow up using this phrase with a 'how' in order to detail the approach taken to affect the positive change.

Common error

While "turn things around" is versatile, avoid overusing it in very informal settings where simpler language might be more appropriate. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly dramatic or forced.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "turn things around" is as a verb phrase. Ludwig examples illustrate its use to describe a process of improvement or reversal of negative circumstances. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct and common in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "turn things around" is a versatile and commonly used idiomatic expression that describes a positive reversal of a negative situation. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable in various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Formal & Business settings, the phrase carries a neutral register, making it suitable for both professional and informal communication. Its primary function is to convey hope and the possibility of positive change. When using this phrase, consider the context and avoid overusing it in very informal situations. Alternatives such as "reverse the situation" or "improve matters" can also be considered to ensure variety in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reverse the situation

Focuses on inverting the current state, highlighting the act of changing direction.

improve matters

Emphasizes enhancement and betterment of the existing circumstances.

remedy the problem

Suggests fixing an issue or correcting a mistake, bringing about a positive change.

make a comeback

Implies recovering from a setback or decline, often used in competitive contexts.

bounce back

Conveys resilience and the ability to recover quickly from adversity.

get back on track

Indicates a return to the intended course or plan after a deviation.

salvage the situation

Focuses on rescuing something from a potentially disastrous outcome.

set things right

Implies correcting injustices or imbalances to achieve a more equitable outcome.

put things in order

Suggests organizing and improving a chaotic or disorganized situation.

correct course

Emphasis on making small and incremental improvements toward ultimate goal.

FAQs

How can I use "turn things around" in a sentence?

You can use "turn things around" to describe changing a negative situation into a positive one, for example: "Despite the initial setbacks, the company managed to "turn things around" and achieve record profits."

What can I say instead of "turn things around"?

You can use alternatives like "reverse the situation", "improve matters", or "remedy the problem" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "turn things around" or "turn the things around"?

"Turn things around" is the correct idiomatic expression. "Turn the things around" is grammatically correct but does not carry the same idiomatic meaning of reversing a negative situation.

What's the difference between "turn things around" and "change things"?

"Turn things around" specifically implies reversing a negative trend or situation, whereas "change things" is a more general term for making alterations without necessarily implying a prior negative state.