PhrasesHub

A turn up for the books

    Definitions

      • surprising or unexpected outcome
        When something happens that is completely unexpected or surprising, often in a positive way.

      • change of plans or circumstances
        When a situation or event takes an unexpected turn, usually resulting in a change of plans or circumstances.

    Examples of A turn up for the books

    • The unexpected promotion of Sarah was a real turn up for the books.

      This idiom is used to describe something that is completely unexpected and surprising, often in a positive way. The phrase "turn up for the books" comes from the old practice of keeping accounts or records in large ledger books. If something unexpected happened, it would be written down as a new entry in the book, turning up among the other expected and normal entries. In this example, Sarah's promotion was unexpected and surprising, and it turned up in the records as a new and positive entry.BITE THE BULLET

    • I know this project is going to be difficult, but we're just going to have to bite the bullet and get it done.

      This idiom is used to describe facing a difficult or unpleasant situation head-on, without avoiding or delaying it. The phrase "bite the bullet" comes from the old practice of soldiers biting down on a bullet to numb the pain during surgery or amputation. In this example, the speaker is acknowledging that the project will be difficult, but instead of avoiding or delaying it, they are willing to face it directly, like a soldier biting down on a bullet to endure the pain.PIECE OF CAKE

    • The final exam was a piece of cake compared to all the studying we had done.

      This idiom is used to describe something that is very easy or simple, often in comparison to something more difficult. The phrase "piece of cake" comes from the idea of a dessert that is easy to eat and enjoy. In this example, the speaker is comparing the final exam to all the studying they had done, and saying that the exam was much easier and simpler than all the preparation they had put in.KICK THE BUCKET

    • My grandfather passed away peacefully in his sleep. It's just a shame that he had to kick the bucket at such a young age.

      This idiom is used to describe someone's death, often in a more lighthearted or humorous way. The phrase "kick the bucket" comes from the old practice of hanging animals by their legs and holding them up by a wooden bucket. When the animal died, it would fall and "kick the bucket" with its legs. In this example, the speaker is acknowledging their grandfather's death, but also expressing some sadness that he died at a relatively young age.PIECE OF WORK

    • Cleaning up after a party is always a real piece of work.

      This idiom is used to describe something that is very difficult or time-consuming, often in comparison to something easier. The phrase "piece of work" comes from the idea of a challenging or complex project or task. In this example, the speaker is acknowledging that cleaning up after a party is a difficult and time-consuming task, often more challenging than other tasks.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "a turn up for the books" is commonly used to describe a surprising or unexpected outcome or a change in plans or circumstances. It can be used in both positive and negative situations, but is typically used to emphasize the unexpected nature of the event.

    Some possible situations where this idiom could be used include:

    • A football team that was expected to lose a game ends up winning by a large margin. This could be described as a turn up for the books.
    • A student who was struggling in a class unexpectedly receives a high grade on their final exam. This could also be described as a turn up for the books.
    • A couple plans a beach vacation, but a hurricane hits and they have to change their plans to go to the mountains instead. This could be described as a turn up for the books, as it was an unexpected change in their vacation plans.

    Origin of "A turn up for the books"

    The origin of this idiom is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the world of horse racing. In this context, a "turn up" referred to a horse that unexpectedly won a race, causing a surprise for those who had placed bets on other horses.

    Over time, the phrase evolved to be used in a more general sense to describe any unexpected or surprising event. The addition of "for the books" is believed to have originated from the practice of keeping records of horse racing results in a book, so a "turn up for the books" would be a significant and memorable event worth recording.

    Today, the idiom is used in everyday language to describe any unexpected or surprising event, often with a sense of excitement or disbelief.