turning things around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "turning things around" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where a negative circumstance is improved or changed for the better. Example: "After several months of hard work, the team is finally turning things around and achieving their goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The guys deserve the credit for turning things around".

The New York Times - Sports

But turning things around may not be so easy.

The Economist

"He is very serious about turning things around," he said.

The Guardian

This could have started the process of turning things around".

The Guardian - Sport

"For us it's massive disappointment because we came so close to turning things around," he said.

Independent

But if his campaign gains an ounce of competence, turning things around could galvanize coverage.

The New York Times

"The Children's Theatre, people here tell me, is a beginning in turning things around".

The New Yorker

And the experience of turning things around is a wonderful thing.

The New York Times - Magazine

Now she's on the road to recovery and is turning things around".

Independent

Mr. Saunders argued that the key to turning things around was greater success in politics.

The New York Times

I do believe I was turning things around before I dislocated my left shoulder".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "turning things around" when you want to convey a sense of active effort and positive change in a situation that was previously negative. It's often used in business, sports, and personal development contexts.

Common error

While "turning things around" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in extremely casual or informal conversations. In such scenarios, simpler alternatives like "improving" or "fixing things" might sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "turning things around" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically used as a verb phrase. It signifies the action of improving a negative situation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "turning things around" is a common and correct idiomatic expression used to describe the act of improving a previously negative situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used and understood. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it conveys a sense of positive change through deliberate effort. While appropriate for both formal and informal settings, simpler alternatives might be preferable in very casual conversations. Semantically related phrases include "reversing the trend" and "making a comeback". Overall, "turning things around" is a versatile phrase suitable for expressing positive transformations across various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reversing the trend

Focuses on changing a negative direction to a positive one.

engineering a recovery

Emphasizes the active and deliberate effort to improve a situation.

improving the situation

A general phrase indicating a positive change.

making a comeback

Suggests a return to a previous state of success or prominence.

pulling things back from the brink

Highlights the rescue of a situation from near disaster.

setting things right

Implies correcting past wrongs or errors.

correcting course

Indicates a change in strategy or direction to achieve a better outcome.

getting back on track

Implies returning to a previously successful path or plan.

rehabilitating the circumstances

Suggests a process of restoring something to a better condition.

making positive changes

A broader term indicating general improvements.

FAQs

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

You can use "turning things around" to describe improving a situation. For example, "The new manager is focused on "turning things around" at the struggling company."

What are some alternatives to "turning things around"?

Alternatives include "reversing the trend", "improving the situation", or "making a comeback" depending on the specific context.

Is "turning things around" formal or informal?

"Turning things around" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is less common in academic writing. It fits well in news reports, business discussions, and everyday conversations.

What does it mean to say someone is "turning things around"?

When someone is ""turning things around"", it means they are taking actions to improve a negative or undesirable situation, often requiring significant effort and strategic changes.