Grammar fix
turn someone off
make someone dislike it
To make someone lose interest in or dislike a person, thing, or activity.
phrasal verb
How oftenCommon
LevelB2
Used inMostly spoken
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
Honestly, the smell of the place turned me off straight away.
Loud music in a café can really turn me off, especially when I am trying to have a conversation.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: The rude staff really turned me down.
Say: The rude staff really turned me off.
'Turn someone down' means refuse them; 'turn someone off' means make them lose interest.
Don't confuse it
Other ways to say it
Make someone not want to do something
How formalCasualMore formal
turn someone offYou're here · Something makes you dislike it: a smell, an attitude, a style.
put offMaking someone lose interest or feel unwilling to proceed.deter someoneMore formal: risk or cost stops someone acting.