twists and turns

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English

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Noun

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twists and turns pl (plural only)

  1. Abrupt changes in direction or orientation (often used figuratively).
    • 1814, Mary Leadbeater, Elizabeth Shackleton, “Calculation”, in Tales for Cottagers[1], Dublin: John Cumming, page 24:
      The same ignorance and avarice which made him think the education of his children an useless expense, caused him to reject the advice of his friends to make a will, which would also be attended with a little expense; and there were so many twists and turns in the law he said, every one ought to keep clear of it []
    • 1909, Lucy Maud Montgomery, chapter 21, in Anne of Avonlea[2]:
      “What a romantic old lane this it,” said Diana, as they walked along its twists and turns.
    • 1916, Eleanor H. Porter, chapter 11, in Just David[3]:
      There was no question, of course, as to its final outcome, with six against one; but meanwhile the one was giving the six the surprise of their lives in the shape of well-dealt blows and skillful twists and turns that caused their own strength and weight to react upon themselves in a most astonishing fashion.
    • 1945 July 9, “On to Berlin”, in Time:
      The twists and turns of U.S. policy, which once bewildered our allies as well as our enemies, can be expected to straighten out into a more surely predictable course.

Verb

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twists and turns

  1. third-person singular simple present indicative of twist and turn