Turn in means to hand in work to be checked (mainly American English) or to go to bed (informal). The first meaning is used for homework, reports and application forms. In the second, someone is saying it's time for bed: I think I'll turn in.
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turn in + homework/report/form (AmE; BrE hand in); turn it in; turn in (= go to bed) + early/for the night
- Please turn in your lab reports by Friday at noon.
- I'm exhausted after the hike, so I think I'll turn in early.
- Did you turn in the application form, or is it still on your desk?
What changed
First versionI have to pass my essay to the professor by Friday.
RevisionI have to turn in my essay to the professor by Friday.
Pass goes with exams: you pass an exam when you succeed in it. It isn't used for giving your work to a teacher to mark; for that, English says turn in an essay. Pass my essay to the professor sounds like physically handing the essay to him, so pass was replaced with turn in.
In Britain, work is usually handed in: Hand in your essays on Monday. Turn in in this meaning sounds American, although British speakers understand it. In the sense of going to bed, turn in belongs to relaxed, informal speech, and the neutral option is go to bed.
Your turn
It's almost midnight and I have an early flight, so I'm going to ___ now.
Show the answer
turn in — It's almost midnight and there's an early flight in the morning, so you're going to bed: that's turn in. Turn off means to switch something off or to leave a road. It isn't used for going to bed.
Write a message to your teacher: you can't hand in your work on time. Use turn in, name the assignment and give a new deadline.
I'm sorry, but I won't be able to turn in my history essay until Thursday morning.
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