Synonyms

turn tail

Idioms

Run away, as in When they heard the sirens, the boys turned tail. This term alludes to an animal's turning its back in flight. [Mid-1500s]

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.

Some people turn tail when they learn their potential romantic partner has a cat.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 2026

But when those lizards meet a predator who is not intimidated by their act, they turn tail and run.

From Salon • Aug. 9, 2022

You’ve now got a monster that would make Godzilla turn tail.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 17, 2022

After 10 minutes I give up and ride on, giving myself 15 minutes to find the trail or turn tail and backtrack.

From Washington Post • Jun. 11, 2020

“You can't turn tail at the prospect of public speaking your whole life through, Taylor.”

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023