Turn aside

Meaning

The idiom "turn aside" means to change direction or course, often in response to something unexpected or important. It can also mean to pay attention to something or someone that is different from the main focus. The phrase "turn a blind eye" means to ignore something or someone, and the opposite of this idiom is "keep your head straight" or "stay on track."

Usage

• "I had planned to go to the gym, but when I saw my friend waiting for me outside, I turned aside and spent some time catching up."
• "As we were driving down the highway, we heard a loud noise coming from our tire. My husband quickly turned aside and pulled over to the shoulder."
• "During the presentation, I noticed that one of my colleagues was turning aside and looking at his phone."
• "When we entered the museum, I immediately turned aside to take a closer look at the painting."
• "My friend had suggested we go to a restaurant, but when we found out it was fully booked, we turned aside and decided to go to a nearby park instead."

Roots and History

The idiom "turn aside" comes from the Old English verb "tornian," which meant "to turn or bend." It has been used in English since the Middle Ages and has evolved over time to take on its current figurative meaning. The phrase "turn a blind eye" is derived from the 17th-century poet William Shakespeare's play Macbeth, where the protagonist is instructed to turn his gaze away from something so as not to notice it.

Synonyms in English

• Change direction
• Deviate
• Swerve
• Diverge
• Take a detour

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: "girar el ojo" - meaning to look away or turn one's gaze
• French: "déviation" - meaning deviation or diversion
• German: "Abgleich" - meaning deviation or divergence
• Italian: "deviazione" - meaning deviation or diversion
• Chinese: "转折" - meaning a turn or bend in the road

Similar Idioms

• the rose that grew from concrete

• tall poppy

• take care