turn out: Idiom Meaning and Origin

The idiom "turn out" is a commonly used expression in the English language, with various meanings and uses. The phrase "turn out" can be a transitive or intransitive verb phrase. As a transitive verb, it means to produce or create something, often in a manufacturing or production context. For example, "The factory turns out hundreds of cars each day." As an intransitive verb, "turn out" means to attend or participate in an event or gathering. For instance, "A large crowd turned out for the concert."

Another meaning of the idiom is related to the outcome or result of a situation. It is often used to describe how things unfold or develop. For example, "The election turned out to be a landslide victory for the incumbent candidate." It can also express surprise or disbelief about the outcome, as in "It turns out that the missing keys were in my pocket all along."

Additionally, "turn out" can be used metaphorically to describe a person's character or behavior. When someone "turns out" a certain way, it means their true nature or qualities are revealed over time. For instance, "He seemed nice at first, but he turned out to be quite dishonest."

Furthermore, the idiom "turn out" can also mean attending or participating in a social or public event, particularly in large numbers. This usage often implies a sense of support, engagement, or enthusiasm. For example, "The community turned out in droves to support the local charity."

The idiom "come out" is closely related to "turn out." While "turn out" can mean attending an event, "come out" specifically refers to making an appearance or showing up. It can be used in a literal sense, such as "He came out to greet the crowd," or in a figurative sense, such as "The truth about the scandal came out."

The phrase "all ends up" is another idiom related to "turn out." It means the final result or outcome of a situation. For example, "Despite all the difficulties, it all ended up being a success." This idiom emphasizes the overall result or conclusion of something.

"turn into" is another related idiom. It means to change or transform into something else. For example, "The caterpillar turned into a butterfly." It implies a significant shift or conversion from one state or form to another.

The idiom "turn out" has various meanings and uses. It can refer to production, attendance at an event, the outcome of a situation, a person's character, or the level of participation or support for an event. Its versatility and wide range of applications make it a common and flexible idiom in the English language.