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turn tail

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turn tail (and run)

Fig. to flee; to run away in fright. I couldn't just turn tail and run, but I wasn't going to fight that monster, either. Sometimes turning tail is the only sensible thing to do.

See also: tail, turn

turn tail

1. to suddenly leave The only thing I could do was to turn tail and run from my attacker.

2. to suddenly change from supporting something to opposing it The senator turned tail on his party.

See also: tail, turn

turn tail

  (informal)

to run away, usually because you are frightened When I saw him my first impulse was to turn tail and flee.

See also: tail, turn

turn tail

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]

See also: tail, turn

turn tail

verb

See turn tail and run

See also: tail, turn