Meaning & use
turn on its head
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Meaning
phraseidiom
To change something completely, especially an idea or situation, so that it becomes the opposite of what it was.
Grammar: Takes an object: turn an idea on its head. The possessive pronoun agrees with the object: turn the theory on its head.
Patterns
- turn something on its head
- turn an idea on its head
- turn the situation on its head
The new evidence turned the old theory on its head.
Her sudden success turned the team's expectations on its head.
The pandemic turned our plans on their head.
Common combinations
- turn an argument on its head
- He turned the argument on its head by showing the opposite was true.
- turn a theory on its head
- The discovery turned the accepted theory on its head.
- turn the situation on its head
- A single phone call turned the situation on its head.
Synonyms and how they differ
- overturn
- Overturn is more formal and often used for laws or decisions; turn on its head is more figurative and dramatic.
- reverse
- Reverse means to change to the opposite; turn on its head often suggests a surprising, complete change.
- upend
- Upend is similar but less common and often used for physical actions; turn on its head is more idiomatic.
Opposites
Commonly confused: turn on its head or turn heads?
turn on its head vs turn heads
Turn heads means to attract attention because of being attractive or impressive; turn on its head means to change something completely.
Practice
What does 'turn on its head' mean in the sentence: 'The new study turned the old belief on its head'?
Choose one answer.
The idiom means to change something completely, often making it the opposite. 'Proved completely wrong' matches that idea.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “turn on its head”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.