English Phrase of the Day

Definitions

English > English
in turn
1. prep. One after the other; one at a time; in succession; successively.
The teacher answered the students each in turn.
Each member of the group, in turn, rose to share a personal story, until nearly everyone in the room had spoken.
Eventually, each of the countries in turn would be brought to submission by the invading force.
2. prep. In due order; in proper sequence; in a determined or measured sequence, as a waiting line or queue.
You are next in turn to bat.
The boy was next in turn to sit on Santa's lap.
3. prep. In response; in return.
The musical ambassadors finished their performance, and the local musicians in turn played for them a traditional ballad.
4. prep. Having a relationship sequentially comparable to one just mentioned; accordingly or similarly, with respect to sequence, precedence, or hierarchy.Kibbitzer 51, “In turn”
The vassals were subject to their lords, who in turn were subject to barons or kings.
My car was hit by a truck, which in turn was hit by the van.
Mr. X leaked the secret to Mr. Y who in turn leaked it to Mr. Z.
Analysis
in		©
1. prep. Used to indicate location, inclusion, or position within spatial, temporal or other limits.
2. prep.          Contained by.
The dog is in the kennel.
3. prep.          Within.
4. prep.          Surrounded by.
turn
1. v. to make a non-linear physical movement.:
2. v.          (intransitive) Of a body, person, etc, to move around an axis through itself.
the Earth turns;  turn on the spot
3. v.          To change the direction or orientation of, especially by rotation.
Turn the knob clockwise.

Example Sentences

In turn, I don't expect you to like me, so at least we stand on common ground.  We took it in turn to open the post and audited the accounts at weekends.  They each curtsy or bow in turn.  The nature and number of your offenses, how crowded our calendar is at the moment, although we do try to finish each case in turn, vacations, you understand.  These jackasses buy your albums, which in turn pays for everything.

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