turn tail

Học thuật
Thân thiện
Definition

Verb: - To flee or run away, especially from danger, trouble, or a confrontation; to retreat hastily.

Usage

This verb is used to describe the act of suddenly running away from a situation, often out of fear or to avoid capture. It implies a quick and sometimes undignified retreat.

Examples
  • Verb:
    • When the guard dog started barking, the intruder turned tail and fled over the fence.
    • The bully threatened him, but he just turned tail and ran.
    • They were outnumbered, so the soldiers had no choice but to turn tail and retreat.
Advanced Usage
  • "to turn tail (and run)": This is the most common and complete form of the idiom, emphasizing the act of fleeing.
    • At the first sign of real resistance, the protesters turned tail and ran.
Variants and Related Words
  • Flee (verb): To run away, as from danger or evil; to take flight.
  • Escape (verb): To get away, as from confinement or from a dangerous situation.
  • Retreat (verb): To withdraw, especially from a dangerous, difficult, or disagreeable situation.
Synonyms
  • Take to one's heels
  • Cut and run
  • Run away
  • Bolt
  • Scram
Related Idioms
  • Show a clean pair of heels: To run away very fast.
    • He showed them a clean pair of heels when he realized he was caught.
  • Head for the hills: To flee or run away to safety.
    • When the market crashed, many investors headed for the hills.
Verb
  1. flee; take to one's heels; cut and run
    • If you see this man, run!
    • The burglars escaped before the police showed up