turn turtle
The phrase "turn turtle" has nautical origins but is used in various contexts to describe something turning upside down.
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Definition
B2Nautical
(technical)For a boat or ship to capsize or flip upside down.
Example
- The small boat turned turtle in the rough seas.
B2General
To turn upside down or onto one's back, often unexpectedly.
Example
- The car hit a patch of ice and turned turtle.
C1Historical
(archaic)To capture a turtle by flipping it onto its back.
C1Surfing
To roll upside down with a surfboard to let a wave pass over.
Example
- She had to turn turtle to avoid the crashing wave.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "turn turtle":
flip overturn overpond turtleleaf turtleturn upside downturn aboutbelly upturn inside-outturn aroundturtle hullgo belly-uproll overturn roundturn toturn on its headtumble upturn backturn flukesheel turnturn againmonkey flipturn intake a tumbletake a turnturn againstflip dogon the turnupside downheels over head