turn away

verb

1. to move or cause to move in a different direction so as not to face something

   one of the child turned away while the others hid

2. (tr) to refuse admittance or assistance to

   dozens of people were turned away from the hostel

Idioms and Phrases

Send away, dismiss, as in They ran short and had to turn away many customers . [Late 1500s]

Repel, as in The high prices turned away prospective buyers .

Avert, deflect, as in She managed to turn away all criticism . [Late 1300s]

Example Sentences

He is particularly concerned that smaller US businesses will turn away from seafood.

From BBC

“But I hope we don’t overreact,” he said, and turn away from the notion of good fire.

From Los Angeles Times

There is growing evidence that suggests that heterosexual young people are turning away from traditional dating and long-term romantic relationships.

From BBC

He never made it across: he was turned away, as was expected because the South Korean government had said they did not have enough time to make the necessary arrangements.

From BBC

In April, immigration agents attempted to enter two elementary schools seeking information about several students but were turned away by administrators.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• backfire 
• balk 
• blanch 
• blink 
• cringe 
• demur 
• flinch 
• hesitate 
• reel 
• shudder 
• tremble 
• waver 
• wince