turn on

turn (up)on someone or something

to attack or oppose someone or something, especially the person or group in charge. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on.) I never thought that my own dog would turn on me! The treasurer turned on the entire board of directors.

See also: turn

turn someone on

to excite or interest someone. Fast music with a good beat turns me on. That stuff doesn't turn on anyone.

See also: turn

turn something on

to switch on something to make it run. I turned the microwave oven on and cooked dinner. I turned on the lights when the sun went down.

See also: turn

turn on 

1. Lit.[for something] to switch on and start running. The lights turned on right at dusk. At what time do the street lights turn on?

2. Fig. to become interested or excited. He turns on when he sees the mountains. Ann will turn on if she hears this song.

See also: turn

turn on someone

to attack someone. I thought the strange dog was friendly, but suddenly it turned on me and bit me. Bob knows a lot about lions, and he says that no matter how well they are trained, there is always the danger that they'll turn on you.

See also: turn

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turn somebody on

to cause someone to feel excited and very interested What turns the kids on these days?

See also: turn

turn on somebody

to attack or criticize someone suddenly He suddenly turned on me and accused me of not supporting him when he needed it. The country's leaders worry that the people could quickly turn on them.

See also: turn

turn on something

to depend on something in an important way The success of the talks turns on whether both sides are willing to compromise.

See also: turn