Meaning trap
turn over
generate revenue
To achieve a particular amount of business activity, especially in terms of money earned or sales made, typically used to describe a company’s annual or periodic revenue.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To achieve a particular amount of business activity, especially in terms of money earned or sales made, typically used to describe a company’s annual or periodic revenue.
'turn over' also has the more basic meaning 'to turn something so the other side is facing up'; this is the advanced sense.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
The company turns over more than €5 million a year, making it one of the leading firms in the region.
In recent years, many tech startups have managed to turn over impressive sums despite operating at a loss.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: The firm turns over of two million.
Say: The firm turns over two million.
'Turn over' takes the amount directly — no 'of'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Turn over' is the standard business verb for total revenue; the paraphrase is wordy.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
turn over + revenue
- millions a year
- £2m annually
- more than
- roughly
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- turn over (to turn something so the other side is facing up) — 'turn over' also has the more basic meaning 'to turn something so the other side is facing up'; this is the advanced sense.