The phrase "turn adrift" is spelled tɜːn əˈdrɪft. This phrase means to let something or someone drift away or become lost without direction. The word "turn" is spelled with the sound /tɜːn/, which is represented in IPA as t followed by an open-mid central unrounded vowel. The word "adrift" is spelled with the sound /əˈdrɪft/, which is represented in IPA as an unstressed schwa followed by d, r, i, f, and a t sound at the end. Together, these words form a phrase that carries a powerful meaning of loss or abandonment.
The term "turn adrift" refers to a phrase commonly used to describe the act of abandoning or forsaking someone or something, leaving them without guidance, support, or direction. When someone or something is turned adrift, it implies a deliberate decision to cast them off, without any concern for their well-being or future.
When applied to individuals, turning someone adrift often means leaving them without any assistance or protection, exposing them to vulnerability or danger. This can manifest in different contexts, such as leaving a person stranded in unfamiliar surroundings or refusing to provide the necessary support or resources for their survival. It suggests a lack of care or responsibility, indicating a disregard for the consequences that might befall the person left without aid.
Similarly, turning something adrift pertains to abandoning or discarding an object or concept without providing any future purpose or guidance. This can occur when a project or plan is suddenly discontinued, or when an idea or innovation is simply neglected and left to drift away, forgotten and unused.
In essence, the notion of turning adrift embodies the act of forsaking or neglecting someone or something, severing any ties, and allowing them to float aimlessly, without any guidance or assistance. It signifies a deliberate disconnection or abandonment, leading to a potential state of vulnerability, aimlessness, or oblivion.
The phrase "turn adrift" is not a word itself, but rather a combination of two separate words with their own individual etymologies.
1. Turn: The word "turn" dates back to Old English, where it originated from the Germanic word "turnian", meaning "to rotate" or "to revolve". Over time, it evolved into the Middle English word "turnen", which had similar meanings but also acquired new ones such as "to change direction" or "to cause to go around". The meaning of "turn adrift" would refer to causing something or someone to drift or be set adrift.
2. Adrift: The word "adrift" also has Old English origins, derived from the phrase "on drift", which meant "afloat" or "floating". "Drift" itself came from the Old Norse word "drift", meaning "pushing" or "driving".