take a turn for the worse
/ˌteɪk ə ˌtɜːn fə ðə ˈwɜːs/NEUTRAL · C2
Meaning
to suddenly get more serious or unpleasant, often in illness
Examples
- 1Grandpa was recovering well, but last night he took a turn for the worse.
- 2The weather took a turn for the worse just as we reached the top of the hill.
- 3The doctors were hopeful on Monday, but by Wednesday her condition had taken a turn for the worse.
- 4Our holiday took a turn for the worse when the airline lost both our suitcases.
- 5If his breathing takes a turn for the worse, call an ambulance straight away.
Grammar
Only take changes form: took, taken. The opposite is take a turn for the better.
Similar in meaning
More idioms about health
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →a couch potatoa person who watches a lot of TV and rarely exercisesburn the candle at both endsto get too little rest by being busy from early morning until late at nightkick the habitto stop doing something harmful you have done for a long timego under the knifeto have a medical operationfull of beanslively and very energeticas right as raincompletely well again after an illness
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
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