turn on one's heel



turn on one's heel

Leave, as in When I inquired about his sister, he turned on his heel and walked away. This idiom alludes to making a sharp about-face similar to a military step but here usually implies a sudden departure. It was first recorded in 1751.
See also: heel, on, turn

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Ludo-Dutch
Guiomargee-oo-MAR (Portuguese), gee-o-MAHR (Spanish)Portuguese, Spanish, Arthurian Romance
Maximinus-Ancient Roman
Ruarc-Irish
SantaSAHN-tahItalian
Alcide-Italian