English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Turning point
Meaning
The idiom "turning point" refers to a significant event or moment in time when something changes or a decision is made that has a significant impact on the future. It can be used to describe a turning point in an individual's life, a company's history, or even a nation's history.
Usage
- "The COVID-19 pandemic marks a major turning point in the global economy."
- "After years of struggling with his addiction, John hit rock bottom and decided to seek help at a rehab center, which proved to be a turning point in his life."
- "The company's new CEO brought in fresh ideas and implemented changes that turned the company around."
- "The Battle of Saratoga was a major turning point in the American Revolutionary War."
- "The election results marked a turning point in the country's political landscape, with a new party gaining control of the government."
Roots and History
The idiom "turning point" has been used in English since at least the 16th century. It comes from the Old French phrase "point tournant," which means "a turning point." The earliest known use of the phrase in English was by William Shakespeare in his play "Julius Caesar." The idiom has since become a common expression in contemporary language, and its usage can vary depending on the context.
Synonyms in English
- Pivotal moment
- Crucial juncture
- Watershed moment
- Inflection point
- Turning tide
Synonyms in other languages
- 瞬间变换 (Japanese) - a sudden change or transformation that occurs at a particular moment in time.
- 转折点 (Chinese) - a turning point or juncture that marks a change in direction or course.
- עלות מקרה (Hebrew) - a moment of divine revelation or illumination that marks a turning point in one's life.
- צין בצדים (Hebrew) - a moment of clarity or insight that leads to a change in perspective.
- פותחה משפרדת (Hebrew) - a moment of breakthrough or opening that leads to new opportunities and possibilities.