To take the first turning is to leave the road at the earliest junction. Take the first turning on the left.
It nearly always comes with a side, since first turning alone is not enough. Whether an entrance to a car park counts is the usual source of the argument.
1phrasetake the first turningTo leave the road at the earliest junction.
“Take the first turning after the bridge and follow it down.”
take the first turning is a phrase.
Practised in Directions & Position