turn out phrasal verb ( see also ↑ turn )
1 . to happen in a particular way, or to have a particular result, especially one that you did not expect
turn out well/badly/fine etc
It was a difficult time, but eventually things turned out all right.
To my surprise, it turned out that I was wrong.
As it turned out (=used to say what happened in the end) , he passed the exam quite easily.
turn out to be something
That guy turned out to be Maria’s second cousin.
2 . turn the light out to stop the flow of electricity to a light by pressing a switch, pulling a string etc:
Don’t forget to turn out the lights when you go!
3 . if a lot of people turn out for an event, they go to watch it or take part in it
turn out for
About 70% of the population turned out for the election.
turn out to do something
Thousands turned out to watch yesterday’s match against Ireland.
⇨ ↑ turnout
4 . turn somebody ↔ out to force someone to leave a place permanently, especially their home:
If you can’t pay the rent, they turn you out.
5 . turn something ↔ out to produce or make something:
The factory turns out 300 units a day.
6 . well/beautifully/badly etc turned out dressed in good, beautiful etc clothes:
elegantly turned-out young ladies
7 . turn something ↔ out
a) to empty something completely by taking out the contents:
The policeman made him turn out his pockets.
b) British English to take out everything in a room, drawer etc and clean the room etc thoroughly:
Lea decided to turn out the attic.