turned it around

USAGE SUMMARY

"turned it around" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, one could say "He managed to turn it around and achieve success." This phrase indicates a reversal of direction or fortunes. It can also refer to a physical movement, such as "He turned it around and pointed it in the direction of the target."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I turned it around".

The New York Times - Sports

"But they turned it around".

The New York Times - Sports

"Hollywood would have turned it around").

The New York Times

I completely turned it around".

The Guardian - Sport

Man City have turned it around!!!

The Telegraph

They came back and turned it around".

The New York Times - Sports

He turned it around in his hands".

The New York Times

They've turned it around really quickly".

The Guardian - Sport

That turned it around for us.

The New York Times - Sports

"These guys turned it around," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

He turned it around in a year".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "turned it around" when you want to emphasize a significant and positive change or reversal in a situation, often after a period of difficulty or decline.

Common error

Avoid using "turned it around" for minor improvements or changes. This phrase implies a substantial and often unexpected positive transformation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "turned it around" functions as a phrasal verb, typically used as the predicate of a clause. It describes the action of reversing a negative situation or trend, resulting in a positive outcome. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in various contexts, confirming its active use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Sport

33%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "turned it around" is a versatile and commonly used phrasal verb that describes a significant positive change after a period of difficulty. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts, including news, sports, and business. While appropriate for neutral and even formal communication, it's best to avoid using it for minor improvements. Consider using synonyms like "reversed the situation" or "improved dramatically" for variety and precision. Ultimately, "turned it around" effectively conveys the idea of overcoming challenges and achieving a positive outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

made a complete turnaround

Highlights the thoroughness and decisiveness of the change.

reversed the situation

Focuses on the act of changing a negative situation to a positive one.

improved dramatically

Emphasizes the extent of the positive change.

made a comeback

Specifically implies a return to success after a period of difficulty.

shifted the momentum

Focuses on changing the direction of progress or advantage.

recovered fully

Highlights the complete restoration to a previous or better state.

transformed the outcome

Stresses the significant impact on the final result.

rectified the problem

Focuses on correcting a specific issue or mistake.

salvaged the situation

Implies rescuing a situation from potential failure.

brought it back from the brink

Emphasizes that the situation was close to disaster before being saved.

FAQs

How can I use "turned it around" in a sentence?

You can use "turned it around" to describe how someone or something has improved from a negative situation. For example, "The team was losing, but they "shifted the momentum" and "turned it around" in the final quarter."

What's a synonym for "turned it around"?

Alternatives to "turned it around" include "reversed the situation", "improved dramatically", or "made a comeback", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "turned it around" in formal writing?

Yes, "turned it around" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. However, in extremely formal contexts, you might consider using a more precise or technical alternative such as "rectified the problem".

What does "turned it around" mean in a business context?

In business, "turned it around" often refers to improving a company's performance or financial situation after a period of decline. It implies effective strategies were implemented to "salvaged the situation".