to ask someone for help, advice, or support when you need it
Whenever I have a problem, I turn to my older sister for advice.
A: I didn't know what to do about my job interview, so I turned to my dad for some tips. B: That's smart. He always gives good advice.
If I face a difficult situation, I usually turn to my best friend because she always listens and helps me find a solution.
Common mistake
✗Who can I turn for help?
✓Who can I turn to for help?
'Turn TO' someone — don't drop 'to'.
Tell it apart
I turned to my sister for advice.
went to her for help
He turned to drink.
started relying on it — negative sense
Use 'turn to' when you need help or advice from someone you trust, like a friend, teacher, or family member.Not the same as 'turn into' (to become something else) or 'turn on' (to switch on a device).
to begin doing something undesirable, harmful, or morally questionable, especially as a way of coping with difficulties or when other options have failed
After losing his job, he turned to gambling as a way to escape his problems.
A: Did you hear about Tom? B: Yeah, it's sad. He turned to drugs after the divorce.
When people face prolonged unemployment, some may turn to crime as a means of survival, highlighting the need for effective social support systems.
Common mistake
✗She turned into crime.
✓She turned to crime.
'Turn TO' (resort to), not 'turn into' (become).
Tell it apart
He turned to alcohol.
resorted to it — bad
He turned to a friend.
sought help — sense
'Turn to' in this sense is typically used for negative or problematic actions, especially when someone feels they have no other choice. It is common in news, academic, and formal writing, but also in spoken English when discussing social issues.Unlike the B1 sense ('turn to someone for help'), this sense is not about seeking support but about resorting to a negative behavior or solution, often as a last resort.