turn upon itself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "turn upon itself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something reflects back on itself or becomes self-referential. Example: "The argument was so convoluted that it seemed to turn upon itself, leading to confusion rather than clarity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A poem is an environment in which inspiration comes and goes; the moods shift, the mind can turn upon itself.

The New Yorker

Humanity's urge to turn upon itself has been exploited to great effect in film, with Charlton Heston's scenery-chewing soliloquy before a ruined Statue of Liberty at the conclusion of (it's been more than 40 years one would hope that spoiler tags are not necessary) serving as a defining moment in sci-fi and pop culture history.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But many say the bigger problem is that the Asian-American community is turning upon itself in fear.

The New York Times

Because of their necessarily bureaucratic structure, however, they will constrain innovation and become open to criticism.Thus, at last, the process turns upon itself.

The Economist

Egged on by a hysterical blogosphere and the ravings of Fox News blowhards, the Republican Party has turned upon itself (see article).Optimists say this is no more than the vigorous debate that defines the American primary system.

The Economist

Rona Morison's Abigail plays the villain a little too obviously, but she's a watchable, flame-haired demon, exploiting the weaknesses of a community that all too readily turns upon itself.

The Guardian

The novel unfolds with elegant minimalism and clever out-of-sequence turns upon itself; the little scenes and the fragments of background are stepping stones carrying us across the fast-flowing river of the story.

The Guardian - Books

For years I used to think: "All weaponry eventually turns upon itself".

Huffington Post

We were upset by her behavior but the restaurant staff seemed to turn in upon itself, perhaps counting the days until the gardens closed and the tourists left.

The New York Times

It was a mission that an anti-immigrant extremist sought to thwart when he killed Ms. Rashid, 18, and at least 76 others a week ago in attacks on the government headquarters and at an isolated camp that were meant to turn Norway upon itself.

The New York Times

The result is that, for the Cartesians, a thought can "turn back upon itself," which is what Huet finds absurd.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "turn upon itself" when describing a process or system that unexpectedly acts against its initial purpose or origin. For instance, 'The revolution eventually turned upon itself, consuming its own leaders.'

Common error

Avoid using "turn upon itself" simply to mean 'change direction'. The phrase implies a self-directed action, where the subject acts against its own interests or previous actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "turn upon itself" functions as a verb phrase, often used to describe a reflexive action where a subject acts against its own original purpose or nature. Ludwig AI confirms its use in contexts where something reflects or acts contrary to its initial intent.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "turn upon itself" is a relatively uncommon but grammatically correct expression used to describe a reflexive action where a subject acts against its own original intent or purpose. Ludwig AI confirms it's use in contexts where something reflects or acts contrary to its initial intent. Its usage is most common in News & Media, Science and Encyclopedias. When using this phrase, it's important to consider its reflexive nature and avoid simple substitutions for 'change direction'. Alternatives such as "become self-referential" or "become self-destructive" can provide more precise meanings depending on the intended context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become self-referential

Focuses on the self-referential aspect, emphasizing the act of referring back to oneself or itself.

reflect back on itself

Emphasizes the act of reflecting or mirroring back to its origin or source.

revert to its origin

Highlights the return to a previous state or condition, particularly the starting point.

become self-destructive

Implies a destructive action directed internally, leading to harm or collapse.

implode on itself

Conveys a sudden and forceful collapse inward, suggesting a catastrophic failure.

cannibalize itself

Describes the process of consuming one's own resources or parts, resulting in depletion or destruction.

turn inward

Focuses on the inward direction of focus or action, suggesting introspection or isolation.

become introspective

Highlights the act of examining one's own thoughts and feelings, emphasizing self-reflection.

loop back on itself

Focuses on the cyclical nature, highlighting how the action or process is iterative.

be self-defeating

Highlights the self-sabotaging characteristic by which an action prevents its intended outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "turn upon itself" in a sentence?

Use "turn upon itself" to describe a situation where something or someone acts against its own original intent or purpose. For example, "The political movement, initially focused on unity, eventually "turned upon itself" due to internal power struggles".

What does it mean when a community "turns upon itself"?

When a community "turns upon itself", it implies that internal conflicts, fears, or pressures cause the community members to distrust, harm, or act against each other, leading to its fragmentation or destruction.

Which is correct, "turn upon itself" or "turn on itself"?

Both "turn upon itself" and "turn on itself" can be correct depending on the context, but they have slightly different connotations. "Turn upon itself" usually suggests a more considered or reflective action, while "turn on itself" can imply a more sudden or aggressive action. For example, the first is about reflecting or mirroring, the second is mostly used for actions.

What are some alternatives to "turn upon itself" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "become self-referential", "reflect back on itself", or "become self-destructive". Each alternative emphasizes a slightly different aspect of the action.