turn one's head

1. Cause to become conceited, as in Winning that prize has turned his head . A 16th-century translator of Seneca used this phrase: “His head was turned by too great success” ( Ad Lucullus , 1571).

2. Cause to become infatuated, as in The new teacher turned all the girls' heads . [Mid-1800s]

Example Sentences

Just over that line were unutterable things, massacre and ravage and anguish, all but irresistible assault and cruelty, bewilderment and heroism all but overwhelmed; from the sense of which one had but to turn one's head to take in something unspeakably different and that yet produced, as by some extraordinary paradox, a pang almost as sharp.

From Project Gutenberg

The mountains in themselves are intoxicating enough to turn one's head; but then of course much depends upon the kind of head one possesses.

From Project Gutenberg

To look out of the window one must turn one's head and lift one's eyes and adjust both head and eyes in other ways; but looking in general, whether from the needs of an objective or a special view, also demands certain pertinent adjustments, and the demanded adjustments make the resulting experience just so far aloof, just so far discoloured and distorted.

From Project Gutenberg

Louise sometimes is delightfully companionable, and kind enough to turn one's head.

From Project Gutenberg

Two weeks again in London, visiting picture-galleries, museums, libraries, going to teas, dinners, receptions, concerts, theaters and reform-meetings; it is enough to turn one's head to think of all the different clubs and associations managed by women.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• appeal to
• attract
• captivate
• charm
• dare
• fascinate
• induce
• intrigue
• invite
• motivate
• persuade
• seduce
• stimulate
• tantalize
• woo