Not know where to turn Meaning in English
expression
NAHT NOH WAIR tuh TURN
NOT NOH WAIR tuh TERN
Definition
Used when someone feels confused, lost, or helpless and does not know what to do or who to ask for help.
Usage & Nuances
This is an informal idiom for expressing helplessness in difficult or unfamiliar situations. Often follows a description of a problem. Do not use in formal writing. Not literal—it's about emotional state, not actual directions.
Spanish: no saber a quién acudir - no saber qué hacerPortuguese (BR): não saber a quem recorrer - não saber o que fazerPortuguese (PT): não saber a quem recorrer - não saber o que fazerChinese (Simplified): 不知该找谁帮忙 - 不知所措Chinese (Traditional): 不知該找誰幫忙 - 不知所措Hindi: समझ नहीं आना कि किससे मदद लें - समझ नहीं आना क्या करेंArabic: لا يعرف إلى من يلجأ - لا يعرف ماذا يفعلBengali: কী করবেন বুঝতে না পারা - নিরুপায় অনুভব করাRussian: не знать, что делать - не знать, к кому обратитьсяJapanese: どうしていいかわからない - 途方に暮れるVietnamese: không biết xoay xở ra sao - không biết tìm ai để nhờ giúp đỡKorean: 어떻게 해야 할지 모르다 - 어디에 의지해야 할지 모르다Turkish: ne yapacağını bilememek - kime başvuracağını bilmemekUrdu: پتا نہ ہونا کہ کیا کریں - بے بسی محسوس کرناIndonesian: tidak tahu harus bagaimana - tidak tahu harus meminta bantuan ke siapa
Example Sentences
After losing his job, he didn't know where to turn.
basic
She felt so alone, she did not know where to turn.
basic
The instructions were so confusing that I didn't know where to turn.
basic
I was so stressed last year, I didn't know where to turn.
natural
When my plans suddenly fell apart, I did not know where to turn.
natural
I called my friend because I didn't know where to turn.
natural