C1idiomhealthIELTS-friendly
take a turn for the worse
USUK
to suddenly become worse, especially someone's health
Common in news about patients, but also used for the weather or a situation. The opposite is 'take a turn for the better'.
In context
Grandpa's condition took a turn for the worse during the night.
Our holiday took a turn for the worse when the typhoon reached the coast.
More idioms about health
- a clean bill of healtha doctor's statement, after an examination, that someone is healthy
- a new lease of lifenew energy, or a chance to be active or useful again
- a ripe old agea very old age, reached in good health
- a second windnew energy that lets you continue after you felt too tired
- a shadow of your former selfmuch weaker, thinner or less impressive than before