Can you say “leftside right”?












8















Can you say something like "I turned the box leftside right" in English? Or what should be used in place of "leftside right"?



By "leftside right" I mean pivoting by 180 degrees.










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    3 hours ago
















8















Can you say something like "I turned the box leftside right" in English? Or what should be used in place of "leftside right"?



By "leftside right" I mean pivoting by 180 degrees.










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  • Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.

    – tchrist
    3 hours ago














8












8








8








Can you say something like "I turned the box leftside right" in English? Or what should be used in place of "leftside right"?



By "leftside right" I mean pivoting by 180 degrees.










share|improve this question














Can you say something like "I turned the box leftside right" in English? Or what should be used in place of "leftside right"?



By "leftside right" I mean pivoting by 180 degrees.







single-word-requests phrases expressions






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asked Feb 22 at 9:25









HappyHappy

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11 Answers
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22














I wish you could - it's just a logical transform of "upside down" and I would understand it. Sadly, many people struggle with left and right, and that coupled with the fact that although some 3D shapes such as boxes definitely have a right and left side, others are more ambiguous (clothing, for example).



It's more common to use "back to front", as in:




"The box was back to front so I fixed it."




or




"I put my trousers on back to front"




There's still the implication of a 180 degrees rotation about the same axis that you describe, but there's no longer the need to figure out left and right.






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  • Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.

    – tchrist
    3 hours ago



















19














I've heard and would often use "flipped around" for this:



"I flipped the box around."



To me, that means you pivoted it 180 degrees, unless more context is given. It could mean you turned it upside down, but only if that's obvious from the context. If you want to say you turned the box upside down, without any other context, you would say:



"I flipped the box upside down."



Also, just "turned around" works. I would never say "leftside right".






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    14














    No. I'm a native British English speaker and wouldn't have a clue what you meant by "leftside right".



    I would suggest describing the action in terms of positioning the faces (left, back, right, front, top, bottom), e.g. "Rotate the box so the left side is facing the front".






    share|improve this answer
























    • That's 90 degrees, when the left side faces the front.

      – Happy
      Feb 22 at 10:21






    • 4





      @Happy Even better reason to not use leftside right, here's a native speaker you confused.

      – Bryan Krause
      Feb 22 at 19:09



















    6














    "180 to the left" is the most natural way I can think of to express it.



    In skating/snowboarding, it would be a "backside 180", assuming regular stance ;)






    share|improve this answer
























    • Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.

      – tchrist
      3 hours ago



















    6














    I think "back to front" is what you are looking for, but in my experience as a Canadian, it is not a very common term in American English.



    The synonymous term in American English is "backwards". That said, the connotation might be a bit different.



    For example, using it the way you used "left-to-right" it may not be a perfect fit. "I turned the box backwards" has some implication that the original position was where it was supposed to be, but I believe most would understand it.






    share|improve this answer



















    • 3





      I'd say "The box was backwards, so I turned it around."

      – Phlarx
      Feb 22 at 17:28











    • @Phlarx I was actually thinking of including that example in my question; but then it seemed to branch away from what OP was getting at.

      – JMac
      Feb 22 at 18:16











    • Of course, but I think it is worthwhile to describe the expected structure of the phrase so that OP can decide for themselves if they want to deviate from that form.

      – Phlarx
      Feb 22 at 19:10








    • 1





      "I turned the box around"

      – user45266
      Feb 24 at 5:36





















    4














    You can say whatever you want in English.



    But unless you're trying to be funny/clever/etc., yes, I would refrain from saying "leftside right", or "rightside left" for that matter.



    "Leftside right" is likely unclear to many native speakers just because it's a word and phrase that isn't used.



    Inside-out, Upside-down, and other such phrases are in the vernacular, as are the words "inside" and "upside" (as well as "outside" and "downside").



    "Leftside" and "Rightside", however, are... less common.



    Alternatives



    Around is a fair substitute: "I turned the box around."



    See also:



    "She turned around and looked."



    "He really turned his life around."



    "If you kids don't stop, I'm going to turn this car around!"






    share|improve this answer































      2














      The most common way of telling someone to turn something so that it is facing the other direction is:




      turn around.




      This is the usual way to say 'turn something 180 degrees from side to side'.



      If it is facing to the left, then afterwards it should be facing to the right.



      If it is facing you, then it should be showing their back to you afterwards. This is often misinterpreted as turning a complete circle so as to face the same way again afterwards, but that is hardly ever what is intended.



      You can say 'leftside right' and that would be understood, but it is not a thing any body actually says ever, at least not for telling someone to turn something. Urban Dictionary has a description meaning reverse like in a mirror, but I can't find any other web instances of it actually in the wild.






      share|improve this answer































        2














        In most cases where one rotates an object 180 degrees about a horizontal axis, it won't matter which horizontal axis one is using. What will matter is that the parts of the object that were oriented up are now oriented down, and vice versa. It wouldn't generally matter whether the parts that had been in front stay in front, or the parts that had been on the left stay on the left, or neither, so there's no brief term that makes such distinctions.



        Rotating a box 180 degrees around a vertical axis will flip it left-to-right and front-to-back. Such a move is generally called "turning it around" or perhaps "flipping it around".



        For operations which flip an object around a single axis only (typically only applicable to operations on a computer, images, or other "virtual" objects), one would typically say the object was flipped top-to-bottom (not upside-down!), left-to-right, or front-to-back. Note that "flipping an object upside-down" typically involves flipping it about planes that are perpendicular to a vertical axis and another unspecified axis, and "flipping the object around" would involve flipping it about planes perpendicular to both front-to-back and left-to-right axes, while flipping top-to-bottom, left-to-right, or front-to-back would only involve reflection about a single plane.






        share|improve this answer































          2














          tl;dr: be clear.



          As Hot Licks points out, you could -- the trouble is, people wouldn't understand you.



          If you need your listener to know how you turned the thing (or which way up it is now), you will need to make that clear -- and your suggested "leftside right" fails to make it clear. Even if your listener understood that the side that used to be on the left is now on the right and vice versa, you haven't said whether you turned it around a vertical axis or about a front-back axis. What is the best thing to say? I think it depends to some extent on what is plausible in your context (is the object so heavy that it can't be turned about a horizontal axis even though it can be slid and turned around a vertical axis?).



          Anyway if the context doesn't resolve the ambiguity, I'd favour being explicit even if that means a lot of words, e.g. "I turned it upside-down so that its left side is now on the right" or "I turned it around so that its left side is now on the right". Just "I turned it around" (as Mitch suggested) sounds nice but I still have a nagging suspicion that in some contexts people might not be sure which way you turned it.






          share|improve this answer































            1














            Other answers like "flip the box around" sound natural, but if you're looking to maintain the focus on where the left side ended up, I would go with "I turned the left side of the box towards the right."






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              0














              As a native English speaker (I'm English), I'd just say "turn it 180" - the direction doesn't matter unless it's important.






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                protected by tchrist 3 hours ago



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                11 Answers
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                11 Answers
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                22














                I wish you could - it's just a logical transform of "upside down" and I would understand it. Sadly, many people struggle with left and right, and that coupled with the fact that although some 3D shapes such as boxes definitely have a right and left side, others are more ambiguous (clothing, for example).



                It's more common to use "back to front", as in:




                "The box was back to front so I fixed it."




                or




                "I put my trousers on back to front"




                There's still the implication of a 180 degrees rotation about the same axis that you describe, but there's no longer the need to figure out left and right.






                share|improve this answer
























                • Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.

                  – tchrist
                  3 hours ago
















                22














                I wish you could - it's just a logical transform of "upside down" and I would understand it. Sadly, many people struggle with left and right, and that coupled with the fact that although some 3D shapes such as boxes definitely have a right and left side, others are more ambiguous (clothing, for example).



                It's more common to use "back to front", as in:




                "The box was back to front so I fixed it."




                or




                "I put my trousers on back to front"




                There's still the implication of a 180 degrees rotation about the same axis that you describe, but there's no longer the need to figure out left and right.






                share|improve this answer
























                • Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.

                  – tchrist
                  3 hours ago














                22












                22








                22







                I wish you could - it's just a logical transform of "upside down" and I would understand it. Sadly, many people struggle with left and right, and that coupled with the fact that although some 3D shapes such as boxes definitely have a right and left side, others are more ambiguous (clothing, for example).



                It's more common to use "back to front", as in:




                "The box was back to front so I fixed it."




                or




                "I put my trousers on back to front"




                There's still the implication of a 180 degrees rotation about the same axis that you describe, but there's no longer the need to figure out left and right.






                share|improve this answer













                I wish you could - it's just a logical transform of "upside down" and I would understand it. Sadly, many people struggle with left and right, and that coupled with the fact that although some 3D shapes such as boxes definitely have a right and left side, others are more ambiguous (clothing, for example).



                It's more common to use "back to front", as in:




                "The box was back to front so I fixed it."




                or




                "I put my trousers on back to front"




                There's still the implication of a 180 degrees rotation about the same axis that you describe, but there's no longer the need to figure out left and right.







                share|improve this answer












                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer










                answered Feb 22 at 10:43









                PamPam

                4,3331731




                4,3331731













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                  3 hours ago



















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                  – tchrist
                  3 hours ago

















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                – tchrist
                3 hours ago





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                – tchrist
                3 hours ago













                19














                I've heard and would often use "flipped around" for this:



                "I flipped the box around."



                To me, that means you pivoted it 180 degrees, unless more context is given. It could mean you turned it upside down, but only if that's obvious from the context. If you want to say you turned the box upside down, without any other context, you would say:



                "I flipped the box upside down."



                Also, just "turned around" works. I would never say "leftside right".






                share|improve this answer




























                  19














                  I've heard and would often use "flipped around" for this:



                  "I flipped the box around."



                  To me, that means you pivoted it 180 degrees, unless more context is given. It could mean you turned it upside down, but only if that's obvious from the context. If you want to say you turned the box upside down, without any other context, you would say:



                  "I flipped the box upside down."



                  Also, just "turned around" works. I would never say "leftside right".






                  share|improve this answer


























                    19












                    19








                    19







                    I've heard and would often use "flipped around" for this:



                    "I flipped the box around."



                    To me, that means you pivoted it 180 degrees, unless more context is given. It could mean you turned it upside down, but only if that's obvious from the context. If you want to say you turned the box upside down, without any other context, you would say:



                    "I flipped the box upside down."



                    Also, just "turned around" works. I would never say "leftside right".






                    share|improve this answer













                    I've heard and would often use "flipped around" for this:



                    "I flipped the box around."



                    To me, that means you pivoted it 180 degrees, unless more context is given. It could mean you turned it upside down, but only if that's obvious from the context. If you want to say you turned the box upside down, without any other context, you would say:



                    "I flipped the box upside down."



                    Also, just "turned around" works. I would never say "leftside right".







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered Feb 22 at 15:20









                    only_proonly_pro

                    4017




                    4017























                        14














                        No. I'm a native British English speaker and wouldn't have a clue what you meant by "leftside right".



                        I would suggest describing the action in terms of positioning the faces (left, back, right, front, top, bottom), e.g. "Rotate the box so the left side is facing the front".






                        share|improve this answer
























                        • That's 90 degrees, when the left side faces the front.

                          – Happy
                          Feb 22 at 10:21






                        • 4





                          @Happy Even better reason to not use leftside right, here's a native speaker you confused.

                          – Bryan Krause
                          Feb 22 at 19:09
















                        14














                        No. I'm a native British English speaker and wouldn't have a clue what you meant by "leftside right".



                        I would suggest describing the action in terms of positioning the faces (left, back, right, front, top, bottom), e.g. "Rotate the box so the left side is facing the front".






                        share|improve this answer
























                        • That's 90 degrees, when the left side faces the front.

                          – Happy
                          Feb 22 at 10:21






                        • 4





                          @Happy Even better reason to not use leftside right, here's a native speaker you confused.

                          – Bryan Krause
                          Feb 22 at 19:09














                        14












                        14








                        14







                        No. I'm a native British English speaker and wouldn't have a clue what you meant by "leftside right".



                        I would suggest describing the action in terms of positioning the faces (left, back, right, front, top, bottom), e.g. "Rotate the box so the left side is facing the front".






                        share|improve this answer













                        No. I'm a native British English speaker and wouldn't have a clue what you meant by "leftside right".



                        I would suggest describing the action in terms of positioning the faces (left, back, right, front, top, bottom), e.g. "Rotate the box so the left side is facing the front".







                        share|improve this answer












                        share|improve this answer



                        share|improve this answer










                        answered Feb 22 at 9:58









                        ᴇʟᴇvᴀтᴇᴇʟᴇvᴀтᴇ

                        1,39211021




                        1,39211021













                        • That's 90 degrees, when the left side faces the front.

                          – Happy
                          Feb 22 at 10:21






                        • 4





                          @Happy Even better reason to not use leftside right, here's a native speaker you confused.

                          – Bryan Krause
                          Feb 22 at 19:09



















                        • That's 90 degrees, when the left side faces the front.

                          – Happy
                          Feb 22 at 10:21






                        • 4





                          @Happy Even better reason to not use leftside right, here's a native speaker you confused.

                          – Bryan Krause
                          Feb 22 at 19:09

















                        That's 90 degrees, when the left side faces the front.

                        – Happy
                        Feb 22 at 10:21





                        That's 90 degrees, when the left side faces the front.

                        – Happy
                        Feb 22 at 10:21




                        4




                        4





                        @Happy Even better reason to not use leftside right, here's a native speaker you confused.

                        – Bryan Krause
                        Feb 22 at 19:09





                        @Happy Even better reason to not use leftside right, here's a native speaker you confused.

                        – Bryan Krause
                        Feb 22 at 19:09











                        6














                        "180 to the left" is the most natural way I can think of to express it.



                        In skating/snowboarding, it would be a "backside 180", assuming regular stance ;)






                        share|improve this answer
























                        • Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.

                          – tchrist
                          3 hours ago
















                        6














                        "180 to the left" is the most natural way I can think of to express it.



                        In skating/snowboarding, it would be a "backside 180", assuming regular stance ;)






                        share|improve this answer
























                        • Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.

                          – tchrist
                          3 hours ago














                        6












                        6








                        6







                        "180 to the left" is the most natural way I can think of to express it.



                        In skating/snowboarding, it would be a "backside 180", assuming regular stance ;)






                        share|improve this answer













                        "180 to the left" is the most natural way I can think of to express it.



                        In skating/snowboarding, it would be a "backside 180", assuming regular stance ;)







                        share|improve this answer












                        share|improve this answer



                        share|improve this answer










                        answered Feb 22 at 12:44









                        IllarionIllarion

                        611




                        611













                        • Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.

                          – tchrist
                          3 hours ago



















                        • Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.

                          – tchrist
                          3 hours ago

















                        Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.

                        – tchrist
                        3 hours ago





                        Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.

                        – tchrist
                        3 hours ago











                        6














                        I think "back to front" is what you are looking for, but in my experience as a Canadian, it is not a very common term in American English.



                        The synonymous term in American English is "backwards". That said, the connotation might be a bit different.



                        For example, using it the way you used "left-to-right" it may not be a perfect fit. "I turned the box backwards" has some implication that the original position was where it was supposed to be, but I believe most would understand it.






                        share|improve this answer



















                        • 3





                          I'd say "The box was backwards, so I turned it around."

                          – Phlarx
                          Feb 22 at 17:28











                        • @Phlarx I was actually thinking of including that example in my question; but then it seemed to branch away from what OP was getting at.

                          – JMac
                          Feb 22 at 18:16











                        • Of course, but I think it is worthwhile to describe the expected structure of the phrase so that OP can decide for themselves if they want to deviate from that form.

                          – Phlarx
                          Feb 22 at 19:10








                        • 1





                          "I turned the box around"

                          – user45266
                          Feb 24 at 5:36


















                        6














                        I think "back to front" is what you are looking for, but in my experience as a Canadian, it is not a very common term in American English.



                        The synonymous term in American English is "backwards". That said, the connotation might be a bit different.



                        For example, using it the way you used "left-to-right" it may not be a perfect fit. "I turned the box backwards" has some implication that the original position was where it was supposed to be, but I believe most would understand it.






                        share|improve this answer



















                        • 3





                          I'd say "The box was backwards, so I turned it around."

                          – Phlarx
                          Feb 22 at 17:28











                        • @Phlarx I was actually thinking of including that example in my question; but then it seemed to branch away from what OP was getting at.

                          – JMac
                          Feb 22 at 18:16











                        • Of course, but I think it is worthwhile to describe the expected structure of the phrase so that OP can decide for themselves if they want to deviate from that form.

                          – Phlarx
                          Feb 22 at 19:10








                        • 1





                          "I turned the box around"

                          – user45266
                          Feb 24 at 5:36
















                        6












                        6








                        6







                        I think "back to front" is what you are looking for, but in my experience as a Canadian, it is not a very common term in American English.



                        The synonymous term in American English is "backwards". That said, the connotation might be a bit different.



                        For example, using it the way you used "left-to-right" it may not be a perfect fit. "I turned the box backwards" has some implication that the original position was where it was supposed to be, but I believe most would understand it.






                        share|improve this answer













                        I think "back to front" is what you are looking for, but in my experience as a Canadian, it is not a very common term in American English.



                        The synonymous term in American English is "backwards". That said, the connotation might be a bit different.



                        For example, using it the way you used "left-to-right" it may not be a perfect fit. "I turned the box backwards" has some implication that the original position was where it was supposed to be, but I believe most would understand it.







                        share|improve this answer












                        share|improve this answer



                        share|improve this answer










                        answered Feb 22 at 14:47









                        JMacJMac

                        20415




                        20415








                        • 3





                          I'd say "The box was backwards, so I turned it around."

                          – Phlarx
                          Feb 22 at 17:28











                        • @Phlarx I was actually thinking of including that example in my question; but then it seemed to branch away from what OP was getting at.

                          – JMac
                          Feb 22 at 18:16











                        • Of course, but I think it is worthwhile to describe the expected structure of the phrase so that OP can decide for themselves if they want to deviate from that form.

                          – Phlarx
                          Feb 22 at 19:10








                        • 1





                          "I turned the box around"

                          – user45266
                          Feb 24 at 5:36
















                        • 3





                          I'd say "The box was backwards, so I turned it around."

                          – Phlarx
                          Feb 22 at 17:28











                        • @Phlarx I was actually thinking of including that example in my question; but then it seemed to branch away from what OP was getting at.

                          – JMac
                          Feb 22 at 18:16











                        • Of course, but I think it is worthwhile to describe the expected structure of the phrase so that OP can decide for themselves if they want to deviate from that form.

                          – Phlarx
                          Feb 22 at 19:10








                        • 1





                          "I turned the box around"

                          – user45266
                          Feb 24 at 5:36










                        3




                        3





                        I'd say "The box was backwards, so I turned it around."

                        – Phlarx
                        Feb 22 at 17:28





                        I'd say "The box was backwards, so I turned it around."

                        – Phlarx
                        Feb 22 at 17:28













                        @Phlarx I was actually thinking of including that example in my question; but then it seemed to branch away from what OP was getting at.

                        – JMac
                        Feb 22 at 18:16





                        @Phlarx I was actually thinking of including that example in my question; but then it seemed to branch away from what OP was getting at.

                        – JMac
                        Feb 22 at 18:16













                        Of course, but I think it is worthwhile to describe the expected structure of the phrase so that OP can decide for themselves if they want to deviate from that form.

                        – Phlarx
                        Feb 22 at 19:10







                        Of course, but I think it is worthwhile to describe the expected structure of the phrase so that OP can decide for themselves if they want to deviate from that form.

                        – Phlarx
                        Feb 22 at 19:10






                        1




                        1





                        "I turned the box around"

                        – user45266
                        Feb 24 at 5:36







                        "I turned the box around"

                        – user45266
                        Feb 24 at 5:36













                        4














                        You can say whatever you want in English.



                        But unless you're trying to be funny/clever/etc., yes, I would refrain from saying "leftside right", or "rightside left" for that matter.



                        "Leftside right" is likely unclear to many native speakers just because it's a word and phrase that isn't used.



                        Inside-out, Upside-down, and other such phrases are in the vernacular, as are the words "inside" and "upside" (as well as "outside" and "downside").



                        "Leftside" and "Rightside", however, are... less common.



                        Alternatives



                        Around is a fair substitute: "I turned the box around."



                        See also:



                        "She turned around and looked."



                        "He really turned his life around."



                        "If you kids don't stop, I'm going to turn this car around!"






                        share|improve this answer




























                          4














                          You can say whatever you want in English.



                          But unless you're trying to be funny/clever/etc., yes, I would refrain from saying "leftside right", or "rightside left" for that matter.



                          "Leftside right" is likely unclear to many native speakers just because it's a word and phrase that isn't used.



                          Inside-out, Upside-down, and other such phrases are in the vernacular, as are the words "inside" and "upside" (as well as "outside" and "downside").



                          "Leftside" and "Rightside", however, are... less common.



                          Alternatives



                          Around is a fair substitute: "I turned the box around."



                          See also:



                          "She turned around and looked."



                          "He really turned his life around."



                          "If you kids don't stop, I'm going to turn this car around!"






                          share|improve this answer


























                            4












                            4








                            4







                            You can say whatever you want in English.



                            But unless you're trying to be funny/clever/etc., yes, I would refrain from saying "leftside right", or "rightside left" for that matter.



                            "Leftside right" is likely unclear to many native speakers just because it's a word and phrase that isn't used.



                            Inside-out, Upside-down, and other such phrases are in the vernacular, as are the words "inside" and "upside" (as well as "outside" and "downside").



                            "Leftside" and "Rightside", however, are... less common.



                            Alternatives



                            Around is a fair substitute: "I turned the box around."



                            See also:



                            "She turned around and looked."



                            "He really turned his life around."



                            "If you kids don't stop, I'm going to turn this car around!"






                            share|improve this answer













                            You can say whatever you want in English.



                            But unless you're trying to be funny/clever/etc., yes, I would refrain from saying "leftside right", or "rightside left" for that matter.



                            "Leftside right" is likely unclear to many native speakers just because it's a word and phrase that isn't used.



                            Inside-out, Upside-down, and other such phrases are in the vernacular, as are the words "inside" and "upside" (as well as "outside" and "downside").



                            "Leftside" and "Rightside", however, are... less common.



                            Alternatives



                            Around is a fair substitute: "I turned the box around."



                            See also:



                            "She turned around and looked."



                            "He really turned his life around."



                            "If you kids don't stop, I'm going to turn this car around!"







                            share|improve this answer












                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer










                            answered Feb 23 at 3:10









                            user337477user337477

                            411




                            411























                                2














                                The most common way of telling someone to turn something so that it is facing the other direction is:




                                turn around.




                                This is the usual way to say 'turn something 180 degrees from side to side'.



                                If it is facing to the left, then afterwards it should be facing to the right.



                                If it is facing you, then it should be showing their back to you afterwards. This is often misinterpreted as turning a complete circle so as to face the same way again afterwards, but that is hardly ever what is intended.



                                You can say 'leftside right' and that would be understood, but it is not a thing any body actually says ever, at least not for telling someone to turn something. Urban Dictionary has a description meaning reverse like in a mirror, but I can't find any other web instances of it actually in the wild.






                                share|improve this answer




























                                  2














                                  The most common way of telling someone to turn something so that it is facing the other direction is:




                                  turn around.




                                  This is the usual way to say 'turn something 180 degrees from side to side'.



                                  If it is facing to the left, then afterwards it should be facing to the right.



                                  If it is facing you, then it should be showing their back to you afterwards. This is often misinterpreted as turning a complete circle so as to face the same way again afterwards, but that is hardly ever what is intended.



                                  You can say 'leftside right' and that would be understood, but it is not a thing any body actually says ever, at least not for telling someone to turn something. Urban Dictionary has a description meaning reverse like in a mirror, but I can't find any other web instances of it actually in the wild.






                                  share|improve this answer


























                                    2












                                    2








                                    2







                                    The most common way of telling someone to turn something so that it is facing the other direction is:




                                    turn around.




                                    This is the usual way to say 'turn something 180 degrees from side to side'.



                                    If it is facing to the left, then afterwards it should be facing to the right.



                                    If it is facing you, then it should be showing their back to you afterwards. This is often misinterpreted as turning a complete circle so as to face the same way again afterwards, but that is hardly ever what is intended.



                                    You can say 'leftside right' and that would be understood, but it is not a thing any body actually says ever, at least not for telling someone to turn something. Urban Dictionary has a description meaning reverse like in a mirror, but I can't find any other web instances of it actually in the wild.






                                    share|improve this answer













                                    The most common way of telling someone to turn something so that it is facing the other direction is:




                                    turn around.




                                    This is the usual way to say 'turn something 180 degrees from side to side'.



                                    If it is facing to the left, then afterwards it should be facing to the right.



                                    If it is facing you, then it should be showing their back to you afterwards. This is often misinterpreted as turning a complete circle so as to face the same way again afterwards, but that is hardly ever what is intended.



                                    You can say 'leftside right' and that would be understood, but it is not a thing any body actually says ever, at least not for telling someone to turn something. Urban Dictionary has a description meaning reverse like in a mirror, but I can't find any other web instances of it actually in the wild.







                                    share|improve this answer












                                    share|improve this answer



                                    share|improve this answer










                                    answered Feb 22 at 17:24









                                    MitchMitch

                                    52.1k15105217




                                    52.1k15105217























                                        2














                                        In most cases where one rotates an object 180 degrees about a horizontal axis, it won't matter which horizontal axis one is using. What will matter is that the parts of the object that were oriented up are now oriented down, and vice versa. It wouldn't generally matter whether the parts that had been in front stay in front, or the parts that had been on the left stay on the left, or neither, so there's no brief term that makes such distinctions.



                                        Rotating a box 180 degrees around a vertical axis will flip it left-to-right and front-to-back. Such a move is generally called "turning it around" or perhaps "flipping it around".



                                        For operations which flip an object around a single axis only (typically only applicable to operations on a computer, images, or other "virtual" objects), one would typically say the object was flipped top-to-bottom (not upside-down!), left-to-right, or front-to-back. Note that "flipping an object upside-down" typically involves flipping it about planes that are perpendicular to a vertical axis and another unspecified axis, and "flipping the object around" would involve flipping it about planes perpendicular to both front-to-back and left-to-right axes, while flipping top-to-bottom, left-to-right, or front-to-back would only involve reflection about a single plane.






                                        share|improve this answer




























                                          2














                                          In most cases where one rotates an object 180 degrees about a horizontal axis, it won't matter which horizontal axis one is using. What will matter is that the parts of the object that were oriented up are now oriented down, and vice versa. It wouldn't generally matter whether the parts that had been in front stay in front, or the parts that had been on the left stay on the left, or neither, so there's no brief term that makes such distinctions.



                                          Rotating a box 180 degrees around a vertical axis will flip it left-to-right and front-to-back. Such a move is generally called "turning it around" or perhaps "flipping it around".



                                          For operations which flip an object around a single axis only (typically only applicable to operations on a computer, images, or other "virtual" objects), one would typically say the object was flipped top-to-bottom (not upside-down!), left-to-right, or front-to-back. Note that "flipping an object upside-down" typically involves flipping it about planes that are perpendicular to a vertical axis and another unspecified axis, and "flipping the object around" would involve flipping it about planes perpendicular to both front-to-back and left-to-right axes, while flipping top-to-bottom, left-to-right, or front-to-back would only involve reflection about a single plane.






                                          share|improve this answer


























                                            2












                                            2








                                            2







                                            In most cases where one rotates an object 180 degrees about a horizontal axis, it won't matter which horizontal axis one is using. What will matter is that the parts of the object that were oriented up are now oriented down, and vice versa. It wouldn't generally matter whether the parts that had been in front stay in front, or the parts that had been on the left stay on the left, or neither, so there's no brief term that makes such distinctions.



                                            Rotating a box 180 degrees around a vertical axis will flip it left-to-right and front-to-back. Such a move is generally called "turning it around" or perhaps "flipping it around".



                                            For operations which flip an object around a single axis only (typically only applicable to operations on a computer, images, or other "virtual" objects), one would typically say the object was flipped top-to-bottom (not upside-down!), left-to-right, or front-to-back. Note that "flipping an object upside-down" typically involves flipping it about planes that are perpendicular to a vertical axis and another unspecified axis, and "flipping the object around" would involve flipping it about planes perpendicular to both front-to-back and left-to-right axes, while flipping top-to-bottom, left-to-right, or front-to-back would only involve reflection about a single plane.






                                            share|improve this answer













                                            In most cases where one rotates an object 180 degrees about a horizontal axis, it won't matter which horizontal axis one is using. What will matter is that the parts of the object that were oriented up are now oriented down, and vice versa. It wouldn't generally matter whether the parts that had been in front stay in front, or the parts that had been on the left stay on the left, or neither, so there's no brief term that makes such distinctions.



                                            Rotating a box 180 degrees around a vertical axis will flip it left-to-right and front-to-back. Such a move is generally called "turning it around" or perhaps "flipping it around".



                                            For operations which flip an object around a single axis only (typically only applicable to operations on a computer, images, or other "virtual" objects), one would typically say the object was flipped top-to-bottom (not upside-down!), left-to-right, or front-to-back. Note that "flipping an object upside-down" typically involves flipping it about planes that are perpendicular to a vertical axis and another unspecified axis, and "flipping the object around" would involve flipping it about planes perpendicular to both front-to-back and left-to-right axes, while flipping top-to-bottom, left-to-right, or front-to-back would only involve reflection about a single plane.







                                            share|improve this answer












                                            share|improve this answer



                                            share|improve this answer










                                            answered Feb 22 at 18:18









                                            supercatsupercat

                                            919810




                                            919810























                                                2














                                                tl;dr: be clear.



                                                As Hot Licks points out, you could -- the trouble is, people wouldn't understand you.



                                                If you need your listener to know how you turned the thing (or which way up it is now), you will need to make that clear -- and your suggested "leftside right" fails to make it clear. Even if your listener understood that the side that used to be on the left is now on the right and vice versa, you haven't said whether you turned it around a vertical axis or about a front-back axis. What is the best thing to say? I think it depends to some extent on what is plausible in your context (is the object so heavy that it can't be turned about a horizontal axis even though it can be slid and turned around a vertical axis?).



                                                Anyway if the context doesn't resolve the ambiguity, I'd favour being explicit even if that means a lot of words, e.g. "I turned it upside-down so that its left side is now on the right" or "I turned it around so that its left side is now on the right". Just "I turned it around" (as Mitch suggested) sounds nice but I still have a nagging suspicion that in some contexts people might not be sure which way you turned it.






                                                share|improve this answer




























                                                  2














                                                  tl;dr: be clear.



                                                  As Hot Licks points out, you could -- the trouble is, people wouldn't understand you.



                                                  If you need your listener to know how you turned the thing (or which way up it is now), you will need to make that clear -- and your suggested "leftside right" fails to make it clear. Even if your listener understood that the side that used to be on the left is now on the right and vice versa, you haven't said whether you turned it around a vertical axis or about a front-back axis. What is the best thing to say? I think it depends to some extent on what is plausible in your context (is the object so heavy that it can't be turned about a horizontal axis even though it can be slid and turned around a vertical axis?).



                                                  Anyway if the context doesn't resolve the ambiguity, I'd favour being explicit even if that means a lot of words, e.g. "I turned it upside-down so that its left side is now on the right" or "I turned it around so that its left side is now on the right". Just "I turned it around" (as Mitch suggested) sounds nice but I still have a nagging suspicion that in some contexts people might not be sure which way you turned it.






                                                  share|improve this answer


























                                                    2












                                                    2








                                                    2







                                                    tl;dr: be clear.



                                                    As Hot Licks points out, you could -- the trouble is, people wouldn't understand you.



                                                    If you need your listener to know how you turned the thing (or which way up it is now), you will need to make that clear -- and your suggested "leftside right" fails to make it clear. Even if your listener understood that the side that used to be on the left is now on the right and vice versa, you haven't said whether you turned it around a vertical axis or about a front-back axis. What is the best thing to say? I think it depends to some extent on what is plausible in your context (is the object so heavy that it can't be turned about a horizontal axis even though it can be slid and turned around a vertical axis?).



                                                    Anyway if the context doesn't resolve the ambiguity, I'd favour being explicit even if that means a lot of words, e.g. "I turned it upside-down so that its left side is now on the right" or "I turned it around so that its left side is now on the right". Just "I turned it around" (as Mitch suggested) sounds nice but I still have a nagging suspicion that in some contexts people might not be sure which way you turned it.






                                                    share|improve this answer













                                                    tl;dr: be clear.



                                                    As Hot Licks points out, you could -- the trouble is, people wouldn't understand you.



                                                    If you need your listener to know how you turned the thing (or which way up it is now), you will need to make that clear -- and your suggested "leftside right" fails to make it clear. Even if your listener understood that the side that used to be on the left is now on the right and vice versa, you haven't said whether you turned it around a vertical axis or about a front-back axis. What is the best thing to say? I think it depends to some extent on what is plausible in your context (is the object so heavy that it can't be turned about a horizontal axis even though it can be slid and turned around a vertical axis?).



                                                    Anyway if the context doesn't resolve the ambiguity, I'd favour being explicit even if that means a lot of words, e.g. "I turned it upside-down so that its left side is now on the right" or "I turned it around so that its left side is now on the right". Just "I turned it around" (as Mitch suggested) sounds nice but I still have a nagging suspicion that in some contexts people might not be sure which way you turned it.







                                                    share|improve this answer












                                                    share|improve this answer



                                                    share|improve this answer










                                                    answered Feb 22 at 18:46









                                                    Rosie FRosie F

                                                    1,02528




                                                    1,02528























                                                        1














                                                        Other answers like "flip the box around" sound natural, but if you're looking to maintain the focus on where the left side ended up, I would go with "I turned the left side of the box towards the right."






                                                        share|improve this answer




























                                                          1














                                                          Other answers like "flip the box around" sound natural, but if you're looking to maintain the focus on where the left side ended up, I would go with "I turned the left side of the box towards the right."






                                                          share|improve this answer


























                                                            1












                                                            1








                                                            1







                                                            Other answers like "flip the box around" sound natural, but if you're looking to maintain the focus on where the left side ended up, I would go with "I turned the left side of the box towards the right."






                                                            share|improve this answer













                                                            Other answers like "flip the box around" sound natural, but if you're looking to maintain the focus on where the left side ended up, I would go with "I turned the left side of the box towards the right."







                                                            share|improve this answer












                                                            share|improve this answer



                                                            share|improve this answer










                                                            answered Feb 22 at 17:26









                                                            BradCBradC

                                                            3,56622023




                                                            3,56622023























                                                                0














                                                                As a native English speaker (I'm English), I'd just say "turn it 180" - the direction doesn't matter unless it's important.






                                                                share|improve this answer








                                                                New contributor




                                                                Richard is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                                                                  0














                                                                  As a native English speaker (I'm English), I'd just say "turn it 180" - the direction doesn't matter unless it's important.






                                                                  share|improve this answer








                                                                  New contributor




                                                                  Richard is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                                                                    0












                                                                    0








                                                                    0







                                                                    As a native English speaker (I'm English), I'd just say "turn it 180" - the direction doesn't matter unless it's important.






                                                                    share|improve this answer








                                                                    New contributor




                                                                    Richard is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                                                                    As a native English speaker (I'm English), I'd just say "turn it 180" - the direction doesn't matter unless it's important.







                                                                    share|improve this answer








                                                                    New contributor




                                                                    Richard is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                                                                    answered Feb 24 at 6:49









                                                                    RichardRichard

                                                                    1




                                                                    1




                                                                    New contributor




                                                                    Richard is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                                                                    New contributor





                                                                    Richard is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                                                                    Richard is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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