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turn over — 3 meanings

One phrase, 3 different jobs. Tap a meaning to jump to it — then lock each one in by saying it out loud.

phrasal verb3 meanings
  1. 1 to turn something so the other side is facing upTo move something so that the bottom or back is now on top or facing you.
  2. 2 to give control or responsibility to someoneTo officially give someone else control, responsibility, or ownership of something.
  3. 3 generate revenueTo achieve a particular amount of business activity, especially in terms of money earned or sales made, typically used to describe a company’s annual or periodic revenue.
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All meanings, in depth

Ordered by how often you'll hear each one — the meaning tells you what it does, the examples and tips show it in use.

To move something so that the bottom or back is now on top or facing you.

Please turn over the pancake so it cooks on both sides.

A: Did you read the answer?
B: Not yet, I need to turn over the page.

In the exam, I had to turn over the paper to see the questions on the back.

Common mistake

Turn over it to see the back.

Turn it over to see the back.

With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'turn it over'.

Tell it apart

Turn the mattress over.

flip it

Turn the case over to the police.

hand them control — sense
Use 'turn over' when you want to flip something, like a page, a card, or food while cooking.'Turn up' means to increase volume or appear; 'turn over' means to flip something.

Often paired with

turn over + object

To officially give someone else control, responsibility, or ownership of something.

After ten years, she turned over the company to her son.

A: Who will manage the project now?
B: They're going to turn it over to the new team leader.

When my manager retired, he turned over his duties to me, which was a big step in my career.

Common mistake

He turned over the documents the police.

He turned the documents over to the police.

'Turn ... over TO' the person who gets control.

Tell it apart

She turned the company over to her son.

handed control

The company turns over millions.

earns in revenue — sense
Use 'turn over' when talking about passing responsibility, especially in work or legal situations.'Hand over' is similar but often less formal; 'turn over' can sound more official.

Often paired with

turn over + to
3

generate revenue

C1turn over amount of moneywritten

To achieve a particular amount of business activity, especially in terms of money earned or sales made, typically used to describe a company’s annual or periodic revenue.

The company turns over more than €5 million a year, making it one of the leading firms in the region.

A: How big is their operation?
B: Pretty substantial—they turn over close to a million dollars every quarter.

In recent years, many tech startups have managed to turn over impressive sums despite operating at a loss.

Common mistake

The firm turns over of two million.

The firm turns over two million.

'Turn over' takes the amount directly — no 'of'.

Tell it apart

They turn over £5m a year.

gross revenue

They make £5m profit a year.

what's left after costs
'Turn over' in this sense is used mainly in business or financial contexts to talk about the total amount of money a company receives from sales, not its profit. It is not used for personal income.Unlike the B1 sense ('flip something over') and the B2 sense ('give responsibility'), this sense is abstract and specific to business English, describing financial activity rather than a physical action or transfer of control.

Often paired with

turn over + revenue

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