The phrase "turning upon" refers to a sudden change in direction or focus. In IPA phonetic transcription, it can be spelled as /ˈtɜːnɪŋ əˈpɒn/. The first syllable "tɜːnɪŋ" is pronounced with a stressed "er" sound followed by a short "i" sound and a nasal "ng" sound. The second part, "əˈpɒn" is pronounced with a schwa sound, a stress on the second syllable with an "o" sound and an ending with a velar nasal "n" sound. Understanding the phonetic transcription can help improve one's pronunciation and spelling of the word.
Turning upon means to change position or attitude towards someone or something, especially in a negative or hostile manner. It is an idiomatic expression derived from the verb turn, which refers to the action of rotating or pivoting an object or oneself. In this context, turning upon denotes the act of shifting one's focus, opinion, or behavior in relation to another individual or situation.
When someone turns upon another person, they alter their attitude from being friendly or cooperative to becoming critical, confrontational, or even aggressive. It can involve a sudden change in behavior that is often unexpected and detrimental to the relationship or interaction.
The phrase "turning upon" can also be used to describe a situation where circumstances or events change abruptly and unfavorably. For instance, if a peaceful protest turns upon itself, it implies that the demonstrators become violent or hostile towards one another. Similarly, if a conversation turns upon a specific topic, it means the discussion takes an unfavorable or contentious turn.
Overall, turning upon underscores a noticeable and negative shift in attitude, behavior, or circumstances. It signifies a change that is often marked by hostility, criticism, or defiance.
The phrase "turning upon" is not a single word, but a combination of two words.
The word "turning" derives from the Middle English "turnen", which originated from the Old English word "turnian" or "tyrnan". These words had various meanings related to rotating or changing direction.
The word "upon" comes from the Old English "uppan", which evolved from the Proto-Germanic word "upp" (meaning "up" or "upon") combined with the suffix "-on" denoting a position or location.
When combined, "turning upon" can express the idea of rotating or changing direction towards something or someone. However, it's important to note that "turning upon" is not a widely used phrase in modern English.