turn someone's crank

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English

Pronunciation

Verb

turn someone's crank (third-person singular simple present turns someone's crank, present participle turning someone's crank, simple past and past participle turned someone's crank)

  1. (informal) To arouse a person's interest or passion; to excite someone.
    • 2000 March 26, George Vecsey, “Baseball: Mets and Cubs Are Grateful McGwire Said No to Tokyo”, in New York Times, retrieved 16 July 2011:
      McGwire had said that international competition did not "turn my crank," but the players on the dais today seemed positively excited about the trip.
    • 2003 May 25, “The Times Bomb”, in Newsweek, retrieved 16 July 2011:
      But it was journalism that turned his crank. He loved knowing the secrets and the gossip; he loved trafficking in information.
    • 2007 September 4, Jack Welch, Suzy Welch, “From Hero To Zero”, in Businessweek, retrieved 16 July 2011:
      bsolutely nothing beats pursuing the path that truly fascinates your brain, engages your energy, and touches your soul. Whatever you do, do what turns your crank.
    • 2011 May 19, John Ortved, “Guys Confess Their Celebrity Crushes: Cannes Edition”, in www.glamour.com, retrieved 16 July 2011:
      Yet if you ask guys which Hollywood stars most turn their crank, you'd be surprised who their answers might be, and why.

Usage notes

  • Possibly based on earlier usages describing mechanical toys operated by spring mechanisms, such as:
1917, L. Frank Baum, chapter 16, in The Lost Princess of Oz:
"Something animates him when you turn his crank," replied the King. "I do not know if it is life or what it is or how it happens."

Synonyms

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