turn of the century

Idioms and Phrases

The beginning or end of a particular century, as in That idiom dates from the turn of the century, that is to say, about 1900. This expression was first recorded in 1926.

Example Sentences

Even such a modest crowd is a far cry from when merely hundreds of fans would turn out at the ground at the turn of the century.

From BBC

It was Mr O’Neill who, at the turn of the century, dreamt up the acronym "Bric" for four emerging economies he believed should be "brought into the centre of global policy making".

From BBC

The Medfly, ceratitis capitata, had eaten its way through Iberia at the turn of the century, and in 1910 managed to reach Hawaii.

From Los Angeles Times

The safety was the fastest defensive back since the turn of the century to reach 500 tackles.

From Los Angeles Times

New Labour was approaching not just the turn of the century, but of the millennium, and the mood in the country was "pretty optimistic".

From BBC