take a turn for the worse
Condition gets worse
To take a turn for the worse is to decline suddenly after a period of stability or improvement.
The phrase typically describes health, weather, or situations that had seemed manageable: Her condition took a turn for the worse overnight.
The turn suggests an unexpected shift in direction, as if circumstances had been traveling one way and abruptly changed course.
- worsenBecome more severe
- break downFail mechanically or emotionally
- fall apartBreak into pieces
- deteriorateGrow worse over time
- relapseReturn to former illness
complication · downturn · go downhill · decline · on the decline · backslide · lose ground · setback · degrade · regress · hit rock bottom · crisis · break up · atrophy · critical condition · degenerate · prognosis · emergency
take a turn for the worsetake a turn for the better
Begin improving after decline
improve · get better · recover · rally · bounce back
take a turn for the worsestabilize
Make firm or constant
hold steady · plateau · level off · keep steady · maintain
takes, taken, taking, taker, takers, turns, turned, turner, turners