What does “Turn Someone Inside Out” mean?
"Turn Someone Inside Out" means to thoroughly search or investigate someone or something.
What context can I use the in?
Example
The police turned him inside out looking for any evidence.
Example
The auditors turned the company inside out to find any financial irregularities.
Example
The journalist turned the politician inside out in their interview, asking tough questions
Is “Turn Someone Inside Out” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Turn Someone Inside Out” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Turn Someone Inside Out” effectively in context?
You can use "Turn Someone Inside Out" to describe a thorough search or investigation of someone or something. It implies a deep examination or scrutiny, often with the intention of finding evidence or uncovering hidden information. For example, if the police thoroughly search a suspect's belongings for evidence, you might say, 'The police turned him inside out looking for any evidence.'
- 1Law Enforcement
The police turned the suspect inside out, searching every inch of his car for any illegal substances.
- 2Auditing
The auditors turned the company inside out, examining every financial record to find any irregularities.
- 3Journalism
The journalist turned the politician inside out in their interview, asking tough questions and digging for the truth.
Similar phrases to “Turn Someone Inside Out”:
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Turn Someone Inside Out” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Turn Someone Inside Out" is unknown.
Is “Turn Someone Inside Out” common in everyday conversation?
The phrase "Turn Someone Inside Out" is not as common as some other idioms, but it is still used in everyday conversation. It is more likely to be used in specific contexts such as law enforcement, auditing, or investigative journalism.
What tone does “Turn Someone Inside Out” have?
"Turn Someone Inside Out" conveys a tone of thoroughness and intensity. It suggests a deep investigation or search, often with the intention of finding hidden information or uncovering the truth.
Can “Turn Someone Inside Out” be used in informal and formal settings?
The phrase "Turn Someone Inside Out" is generally informal and is commonly used in casual conversations. However, it can also be used in more formal settings such as professional discussions or reports related to law enforcement, auditing, or journalism.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
The phrase "Turn Someone Inside Out" is typically used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'The auditors turned the company inside out to find any financial irregularities.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'They really turned him inside out!' to imply a thorough investigation.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- search thoroughly
- investigate thoroughly
- examine closely
- probe deeply
- scrutinize intensively
Antonyms
- ignore
- superficial search
- surface-level investigation
- casual examination
- skim over
