turn turtle

Idioms  

1. 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]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

turn turtle

Of course I may be struck by lightning tomorrow, or the car may turn turtle when we go down to be married, but I refuse to contemplate anything of the sort.

From Black Oxen by Atherton, Gertrude Franklin Horn

The car, jerked back like a mad horse caught by a lariat, reared up on its hind wheels, threatened to turn turtle, then crashed over on its side with its engine still racing wildly.

From Curlie Carson Listens In by Snell, Roy J. (Roy Judson)

It would never have been believed two years ago that ships like the Cressy, Aboukir, and Hogue would turn turtle a few minutes after a single blow from a torpedo.

From The Story of the Great War, Volume I (of 8) Introductions; Special Articles; Causes of War; Diplomatic and State Papers by Churchill, Allen L. (Allen Leon)

If he deviated a hair's breadth at that speed he'd turn turtle.

From El Diablo by Groesbeck, Dan Sayre

Iron, coffins our ships, Davy's wictims our men; In wessels unsteady, We're ready, aye ready, To sink or turn turtle again and again!

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 105, September 9, 1893 by Various