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Difference between Not know which way to look and Not know which way to turn

not know which way to look —(also: not know where to look) be quite embarrassed:

  • She came up to me and talked and laughed till I did not know which way to look. I felt that I must be the jest of the room.

not know which way to turn —(also: not know where to turn) be uncertain or confused about what to do next:

  • I’ve tried to find various solutions to this problem, but none seem to work. I don’t know which way to turn.

Note: The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the phrase know one’s way around—(also: know one’s way about)

1. know how to get from place to place in a neighborhood:

  • I like to go to London with Frank because he really does know his way around.

2. be extremely knowledgeable or experienced in smth.:

  • Chef Elsner is a culinary master who knows his way around a kitchen like the back of his hand.