turn upside down
The phrase 'turn upside down' can describe both physical inversion and significant disruptions or thorough examinations.
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Definition
B1Physical
(common)To invert an object so that its top becomes its bottom.
Example
- She turned the box upside down to empty its contents.
B2Figurative
(idiomatic)To cause a major change or disruption in a situation or someone's life.
Example
- His sudden resignation turned the entire project upside down.
B2Search
(idiomatic)To search or examine something very thoroughly, often causing disorder.
Example
- They turned the house upside down looking for the missing keys.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "turn upside down":
upside downturn on its headflip overturn overturn inside-outturn turtlestanding on one's headshake upknock overtip backtumble upturn aroundturn aboutbelly upthrow overwrong side outjumble upface downdump outright side outstand on end