turn to account
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But they inspired nothing that I could turn to account in my lady's album; nothing that could serve to introduce the compliment always expected in the last stanza.
From Pencil Sketches or, Outlines of Character and Manners by Leslie, Eliza
It shows an ability to turn to account the forces of Nature and, train them to the service of man, such as has been possessed by the laborers of no other country.
From Inventors by Hubert, Philip Gengembre
I now took a strong inclination for poetry, and wrote some little pieces; my brother, supposing it might turn to account, encouraged me, and induced me to compose two occasional ballads.
From Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin; Written by Himself. [Vol. 1 of 2] With His Most Interesting Essays, Letters, and Miscellaneous Writings; Familiar, Moral, Political, Economical, and Philosophical by Franklin, Benjamin
Suddenly his eye, looking across the square, caught sight of a book shop, and it occurred to him that he might turn to account the books which his father and the parson had given him.
From Orientations by Maugham, W. Somerset (William Somerset)
The time had come to try and turn to account any scapegrace whom one had in one's family.
From The Recollections of Alexis de Tocqueville by Tocqueville, Alexis de
