turn away from
phrasal verb.phrasal verb. to stop looking at something or to change your direction so you are not facing it. It also means to stop supporting or believing in something you once liked.
phrasal verb. to physically rotate one's body or head to face a different direction; to cease supporting or engaging with an idea, belief, or person.
She had to turn away from the bright light.
He decided to turn away from his old life and start fresh in a new city.
Faced with the overwhelming evidence of his betrayal, she could only turn away from him in silent, profound disappointment.
Usage
The phrasal verb is intransitive when describing physical movement, but can take a direct object when meaning to reject or abandon something.
Last updated July 27, 2026