turn tail

Idioms  

1. 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]

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Example Sentences

Instead, the player nicknamed “The Alien” puts a forcefield around the basket—making would-be attackers turn tail and run away.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

Stick it out long enough, and they’ll turn on their own allies, start fighting among themselves, turn tail and run away.

From Salon • Mar. 8, 2025

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

That it didn’t make him turn tail and run?

From "Odd One Out" by Nic Stone