45. Focus on: phrasal verbs with the verb turn

Many phrasal verbs are based on the verb turn. In most cases, phrasal verbs with turn involve two options and a change from one option to the other or, when it is possible, a move closer to one option and farther away from the other. In other words, choosing either A or B or, when it is possible to be somewhere between A and B, moving closer to A and farther away from B, or vice versa.

1. turn ...down p.v. When you turn down an electrical or mechanical device, you change the controls to decrease the level of what it is producing or doing. Turn up is the opposite of turn down.

Could you turn the radio down? I'm trying to sleep.

If it gets too cold, I'll turn down the air conditioner.

2. turn ... down p.v. When you deny a request, you turn down the request or turn down the person who has made the request.

l asked Nancy to go to the dance with me, but she turned me down.

My request for a pay raise was turned down.

Getting turned down every time I apply for a job is getting me down.