twists and turns

English

Noun

1. Abrupt changes in direction or orientation (often used figuratively).
   • 1814, Mary Leadbeater and Elizabeth Shackleton, “Calculation” in Tales for Cottagers, Dublin: John Cumming, p. 24,^[1]

     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, Anne of Avonlea, Chapter 21,^[2]

     “What a romantic old lane this it,” said Diana, as they walked along its twists and turns.

   • 1916, Eleanor H. Porter, Just David, Chapter 11,^[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, “On to Berlin,” Time, 9 July, 1945,^[4]

     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

twists and turns

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