turn of events
Unexpected situation change
A turn of events is an unexpected development or change in a situation's direction.
The phrase usually signals something significant—often unwelcome: In a surprising turn of events, the company announced layoffs just weeks after record profits.
A fortunate turn of events or happy turn of events marks the phrase as positive when it isn't negative by context.
Not anticipated beforehand
- unforeseenNot predicted or expected
- shockingCausing intense surprise
- suddenOccurring without prior notice
- startlingCausing sudden surprise
unanticipated · curveball · bombshell · bolt from the blue · stunner · jaw-dropping · blindsided · out of nowhere
Sudden narrative redirection
- storylineSequence of fictional events
- climaxPoint of greatest intensity
- denouementStory's final unraveling
- arcCurved line segment
development · complication · resolution · subplot · foreshadowing · revelation · irony · misdirection
Movement or work period
- transformationThorough change in form
- upheavalViolent disturbance of order
- reversalComplete change of direction
- pivotPoint of rotation
sea change · watershed · shake-up · about-face · turnaround · course correction · transition · game-changer
Predetermined course of events
- fortuneWealth or destiny
- providenceDivine protective care
- serendipityAccidental fortunate discovery
- karmaSpiritual cause and effect
chance · luck · kismet · twist of fate · stroke of luck · happenstance · coincidence · fateful
unexpected
Not anticipated beforehand
- unforeseenNot predicted or expected
- shockingCausing intense surprise
- suddenOccurring without prior notice
startling · unanticipated · curveball · bombshell · bolt from the blue · stunner · jaw-dropping · blindsided · out of nowhere · caught off guard
plot twist
Sudden narrative redirection
- storylineSequence of fictional events
- climaxPoint of greatest intensity
- denouementStory's final unraveling
arc · development · complication · resolution · subplot · foreshadowing · revelation · irony · misdirection · dramatic irony
shift
Movement or work period
- transformationThorough change in form
- upheavalViolent disturbance of order
- reversalComplete change of direction
pivot · sea change · watershed · shake-up · about-face · turnaround · course correction · transition · game-changer · new chapter
destiny
Predetermined course of events
- fortuneWealth or destiny
- providenceDivine protective care
- serendipityAccidental fortunate discovery
karma · chance · luck · kismet · twist of fate · stroke of luck · happenstance · coincidence · fateful · ordained
- turn phrasesabout face
- fatedestiny, fate, kismet, Moira, fated
- Upsetsupset, upset victory, upset win, underdog victory, underdog win
- turnsrotate, spin, pivot, twist, bends
turn of eventsstatus quo
Existing condition of affairs
continuity · stasis · same old story · business as usual · steady state
turn of eventsforegone conclusion
Result assumed beforehand
matter of course · par for the course · sure thing · known quantity · certainty
turn, event, turning, turned, events, turns, uneventful, eventful, eventuality