turn away

verb turns away · turning away · turned away

1. literally, transitive To rotate so as not to face someone or something. Thereat the Elfe did blush in priuitee, / And turnd his face away; but she the same / Dissembled faire, and faynd to ouersee.
2. intransitive, literally To rotate oneself so as not to face someone or something.
3. literally, transitive To bend or turn from a fixed course.
4. intransitive, literally To bend or turn from a fixed course. He met Luis Suarez's cross at the far post, only for Chelsea keeper Petr Cech to show brilliant reflexes to deflect his header on to the bar. Carroll turned away to lead Liverpool's insistent protests that the ball had crossed the line but referee Phil Dowd and assistant referee Andrew Garratt waved
5. figuratively, transitive To refuse to admit someone or accept something. He was turned away at the border because he didn't have a valid visa.
6. figuratively, transitive To avert or ward off the occurrence or effects of. to turn away disaster
7. dated, transitive To dismiss from service. to turn away a servant
8. figuratively, intransitive To forsake or refuse an association or commitment. He turned away from his old comrades.