Turn Tail

What Does "Turn Tail" Mean?

"Turn tail" is an English idiom. It means "to suddenly flee, retreat, or run away from a challenging or dangerous situation."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "turn tail" used in a sentence:

• When they realized they were outnumbered, the enemy forces turned tail and retreated.
• The bullies turned tail and left when they saw a group of adults approaching.
• Despite his tough talk, he was the first to turn tail when confronted with real danger.

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Turn Tail" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

A Quick Test

You now know what "turn tail" means, but are you good at English idioms? Let's see! Show Instructions