turn over

turn over

1. Lit. to rotate so that the side that was on the bottom is now on top. •

The turtle turned over and crawled away.

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She turned over to get some sun on her back.

2. and kick over Fig. [for an engine] to start or to rotate. •

My car engine was so cold that it wouldn't even turn over.

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The engine kicked over a few times and then stopped for good.

3. Fig. to undergo exchange; to be replaced. •

The employees turn over pretty regularly in this department.

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{v.} 1. To roll, tip, or turn from one side to the other; overturn; upset. * /He's going to turn over the page./ * /The bike hit a rock and turned over./ 2, To think about carefully; to consider. * /He turned the problem over in his mind for three days before he did anything about it./ 3. To give to someone for use or care. * /I turned my library books over to the librarian./ * /Mrs. Jackson brought her boy to the school and turned him over to the housefather./ * /Bob turns over most of the money he earns to his mother./ 4. Of an engine or motor; to start. * /The battery is dead and the motor won't turn over./ 5a. To buy and then sell to customers. * /The store turned over $5,000 worth of skiing equipment in January./ 5b. To be bought in large enough amounts; sell. * /In a shoe store, shoes of medium width turn over quickly, because many people wear that size, but a pair of narrow shoes may not be sold for years./