turn turtle
Capsize, turn upside down, as in When they collided, the car turned turtle. This expression alludes to the helplessness of a turtle turned on its back, where its shell can no longer protect it. [First half of 1800s]
Words Nearby turn turtle
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
How to use turn turtle in a sentence
She careened so badly that the girls shrieked and Malcolm himself thought she would turn turtle.
The Red Year | Louis TracyHow she didn't turn turtle is known only to Allah and Maturin; and One is great and the other's a damned fine sailor.
Jaffery | William J. LockeAlmost every man aboard was thrown to the deck, and the vessel heeled over to starboard until it seemed she must turn turtle.
The Boy With the U. S. Fisheries | Francis Rolt-WheelerJim felt she was about to turn turtle and promptly threw himself on to the edge of the car, endeavouring to weigh her down.
The Hero of Panama | F. S. BreretonLet the ship turn turtle and go down, and at least the pang is over.
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 13 (of 25) | Robert Louis Stevenson
Browse