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Synonyms

keel over

British  

verb

  1. to turn upside down; capsize

  2. informal (intr) to collapse suddenly

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

keel over Idioms  
  1. Collapse, as if in a faint; also, faint. For example, When she heard the awful news, she keeled over. This term alludes to a vessel rolling on its keel and capsizing. [Mid-1800s]


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.

See Examples For:

It’s the humidity, which has spiked to over 80%, that has them feeling ready to keel over between sets.

From The Wall Street Journal Oct. 10, 2025

You have to do comparisons and say, ‘I need more space to sing so I don’t just keel over.’

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 10, 2024

“I thought maybe I would keel over on the bench because I love it, I love it, I love it.”

From Seattle Times Apr. 10, 2024

A strong gust of wind caused the 226-foot-long ship to keel over as water poured in through its open gun ports, which were on display for its maiden voyage.

From New York Times Apr. 8, 2023

Mother would keel over if I showed up with a skirt above the knee when Stuart picks me up.

From "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett

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