What Does “Turn sb on to sb” Mean?
“Turn sb on to sb” means to introduce someone to another person, often to create a connection or friendship. It can also mean to make someone interested in another person.
Introduction
The phrase “Turn sb on to sb” is a common phrasal verb in English that involves connecting people. The “sb” stands for “somebody,” so it means to introduce or connect one person to another. This phrase is often used in social or professional contexts where one person helps another meet someone new. Understanding the “Turn sb on to sb meaning” helps you use it naturally in conversations about networking, friendships, or even romantic introductions. It’s a useful expression for making connections and building relationships.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Turn somebody on to somebody
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To introduce or connect one person to another
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Turn sb on to sb” is a separable phrasal verb when used with pronouns.
- Full form: Turn somebody on to somebody
- With pronouns: Turn somebody on to him/her/them OR Turn him/her/them on to somebody
Example patterns:
- Turn someone on to someone else
- Turn him/her on to someone
How to Use Turn sb on to sb?
Use “Turn sb on to sb” when you want to say that you introduced a person to another person. It often implies you think the introduction will be helpful or interesting. This phrase is common in casual and professional speech.
For example, you might say, “I turned my friend on to the new manager,” meaning you introduced your friend to the manager.
Examples
Here are some examples to show “Turn sb on to sb” in a sentence:
- I turned my cousin on to my best friend last weekend.
- She turned me on to her colleague at the conference.
- Can you turn me on to the person in charge of marketing?
- He turned his teammates on to the new coach.
- They turned us on to some important clients during the meeting.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse “Turn sb on to sb” with similar phrases or use it incorrectly. Here are common mistakes:
- Incorrect: I turned on my friend to the manager.
- Correct: I turned my friend on to the manager.
- Incorrect: She turned me to on her colleague.
- Correct: She turned me on to her colleague.
Remember to keep the particle “on” next to the person being introduced.
Differences / Synonyms
“Turn sb on to sb” is similar to “introduce someone to someone,” but it often suggests creating a connection or sparking interest. Unlike “meet,” which can happen spontaneously, “turn on to” implies intentional introduction.
Synonyms include:
- Introduce someone to someone
- Connect someone with someone
- Put someone in touch with someone
However, “turn on to” can feel more casual and conversational.
Common Collocations
People often use “turn sb on to sb” with certain nouns. Here are some common collocations:
- Friend: Turn a friend on to a new person
- Colleague: Turn a colleague on to a client
- Customer: Turn a customer on to a salesperson
- Contact: Turn someone on to a useful contact
- Expert: Turn someone on to an expert in a field
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of turn sb on to sb:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “Turn sb on to sb”:
Anna: Have you met John yet?
Ben: No, not yet. Why?
Anna: I turned you on to him last week at the event. He’s a great person to know for your project.
Ben: Oh, right! Thanks for the introduction.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “turn sb on to sb”:
- She ______ me ______ her professor who helped with my thesis.
- Can you ______ him ______ the new team leader?
- They ______ their friends ______ the local artist last week.
Answers:
- turned / on to
- turn / on to
- turned / on to
FAQ
- Q: Is “turn sb on to sb” formal?
A: It is informal and mostly used in casual conversations. - Q: Can “turn sb on to sb” be used in professional settings?
A: Yes, especially in networking or introductions. - Q: What does “sb” mean in “turn sb on to sb”?
A: “Sb” stands for “somebody” or “someone.” - Q: Is “turn sb on to sb” the same as “introduce someone to someone”?
A: Similar, but “turn on to” often implies sparking interest or connection. - Q: Can “turn sb on to sb” mean something else?
A: In this context, it means introducing people; other meanings of “turn on” exist but are different.
