turn on

[phrasal verb]

turn on (something) or turn (something) on : to cause (something) to work or flow by pressing a button, moving a switch, etc.打开；接通

— often used figuratively常用作比喻

He really knows how to turn on the charm. [=knows how to be charming]他确实懂得如何展现魅力。
She turned the tears on [=she started crying] to get their sympathy.她用眼泪博取他们的同情。

turn (someone) on or turn on (someone) informal : to cause (someone) to feel excitement or enjoyment : to be appealing to (someone)使兴奋；使感兴趣

— see also turn-on

turn (someone) on to (something) : to cause (someone) to use or become interested in (something) for the first time使（某人）对…产生兴趣

turn on (someone or something) : to attack or criticize (someone or something) in a sudden or unexpected way突然攻击

turn on/upon (something)

a : to be determined or decided by (something)取决于

The outcome of the election turns on [=depends on] how well the candidates perform in the next debate.竞选的结果取决于候选人在下一轮辩论中的表现。

b : to have (something) as a main subject or interest以…为主题

The discussion turned on the question of how the money should be spent.讨论的主题是该如何使用这些钱。

turn (something) on (someone or something) : to use (something, such as a weapon) to harm, stop, or kill (someone or something)（利用武器等）阻止，对付，伤害

Fire hoses were turned on the protesters.消防水带被用来对付抗议者。
He killed three people before turning the gun on himself. [=before shooting himself]他杀了三个人，然后开枪自杀了。

turn-on

1 ENTRIES FOUND:

turn-on /ˈtɚnˌɑːn/ noun

plural turn-ons

turn-on

/ˈtɚnˌɑːn/

noun

plural turn-ons

Learner's definition of TURN-ON

[count]

: something that you like or that causes you to be interested and excited令人激动兴奋的事物

— see also turn on at ¹turn