Turn upon Meaning in English
expression
Definition
To attack or oppose someone suddenly, especially someone you were close to; or to depend on something as an important factor.
Usage & Nuances
Formal and sometimes literary or old-fashioned in the 'attack' sense; common in written English or narratives. Can also mean to 'depend on' ('turns upon the outcome'), but this is less frequent. Watch out for confusion with 'turn on', which is more common and has different meanings.
Example Sentences
He suddenly turned upon his best friend during the argument.
basic
Many decisions in life turn upon chance.
basic
The novel’s plot turns upon a family secret.
basic
When cornered, even the calmest person may turn upon their accuser.
natural
Their friendship quickly soured when she turned upon him after the misunderstanding.
natural
Everything turns upon whether or not we get the funding.
natural