turn out — assemble for protest
phrasal verbC1IELTS 7+neutraloccasional
to gather or come together in public, especially for a demonstration or protest, often to express support or opposition to a cause.
Say it like a native
Textbook Thousands of citizens assembled to demonstrate against the law.
Native Thousands turned out to protest the law.
'Turn out' is the natural verb for crowds showing up; 'assembled to demonstrate' is formal.
Pattern: turn out (for/to do something)
In use
- Thousands of citizens turned out to protest against the new legislation.society
- In recent years, more young people have turned out to demonstrate for climate action, reflecting a growing sense of social responsibility.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ Thousands turned out for protest.
✓ Thousands turned out to protest.
'Turn out TO + verb', or 'turn out FOR + the event' (the march, the rally).
Common collocations
turn out + numbers— in their thousands, to vote, for the march, in force
Don't confuse it
Unlike the B2 sense 'attend an event', this sense specifically refers to people assembling in public for a protest, rally, or demonstration, often with a political or social purpose.
Related
- turn out (prove to be) — 'turn out' also has the more basic meaning 'prove to be'; this is the advanced sense.