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Turn the corner

Idiomatic Phrase
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

An idiomatic phrase meaning to begin improving or recovering after a difficult period, suggesting that the worst has passed and positive progress is now becoming evident.

Detailed Definition
Turn the corner means to pass a critical point and begin to improve after difficulty, illness, decline, or danger. In poetry, the idiom gives recovery a spatial shape: the speaker cannot yet see the whole road, but direction has changed. It can describe health, grief, politics, relationships, weather, or social movements. A poet may use it hopefully or cautiously, since turning a corner does not guarantee arrival. The phrase is useful for exploring recovery, transition, and the first signs of change.
Example
Example in poetry:
A recovery poem might say the sick child turned the corner when dawn warmed the window; In a political poem, a broken nation turns the corner after years of hunger and fear; The phrase means to pass the worst point and begin improving; A poet can use it for healing, hope, and renewal.
Additional Notes
Turn the corner means begin to improve after difficulty, illness, decline, or uncertainty. The idiom imagines progress as movement around a bend, where the view changes and the road ahead may become clearer. In poetry, it can describe recovery, reform, grief, addiction, or a failing relationship beginning to mend. Students should notice that improvement is not yet arrival; the speaker has changed direction but still has distance to travel.
Also Known As
improve
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