turn on

turn on
turn on phrasal verb (see also turn)
1. turn something ↔ on to make a machine or piece of electrical equipment such as a television, engine, light etc start operating by pushing a button, turning a key etc
   SYN  switch on
   OPP  turn off:
    Jake turned on his computer and checked his mail.
2. turn something ↔ on to make the supply of water, gas etc start flowing from something by turning a handle
   OPP  turn off:
    He turned on the gas and lit the stove.
    ‘I’m thirsty,’ she said, turning on the tap.
3. turn on somebody alsoturn upon somebody to suddenly attack someone, using physical violence or unpleasant words:
    Peter turned on Rae and screamed, ‘Get out of my sight!’
4. turn on something alsoturn upon something if a situation, event, argument etc turns on a particular thing or idea, it depends on that thing:
    As usual, everything turned on how much money was available.
5. turn somebody on to make someone feel sexually excited:
    The way he looked at her really turned her on. ⇨ turn-on
6. turn somebody on to interest someone, or to make someone become interested in something:
    Science fiction just doesn’t turn me on.
    turn somebody on to
    It was Walter who turned me on to vegetarian food.
7. turn on the charm alsoturn it on to suddenly start to be very nice, amusing, and interesting, especially in a way that is not sincere:
    Simon was good at turning on the charm at parties.