Synonyms for turn tail

Grammar : Verb

Spell : teyl

Phonetic Transcription : teɪl

Définition of turn tail

Origin : "limitation of ownership," a legal term, early 14c. in Anglo-French; late 13c. in Anglo-Latin, in most cases a shortened form of entail.

verb turn and run away

Example sentences :

As I got higher it became hail, and I had to turn tail to it.
Extract from : « Danger! and Other Stories » by Arthur Conan Doyle

In such cases, I have seen first one turn tail, then the other.
Extract from : « Squirrels and Other Fur-Bearers » by John Burroughs

When a man once funks his own name he'll turn tail on anything.
Extract from : « Colonel Starbottle's Client and Other Stories » by Bret Harte

We should have been able to say that we did not turn tail upon our enemies.
Extract from : « Blue Jackets » by George Manville Fenn

I felt so shabby and disreputable that I was tempted to turn tail and escape.
Extract from : « My Friend Smith » by Talbot Baines Reed

Even if he spent his majority in the London docks he would not turn tail.
Extract from : « Roger Ingleton, Minor » by Talbot Baines Reed

When we get to that stage, you'll be the first to turn tail and let the others die!
Extract from : « The Death of the Gods » by Dmitri Mrejkowski

She had begun to like him so much, it grieved her to see him turn tail.
Extract from : « To Tell You the Truth » by Leonard Merrick

He could believe that gauge and turn tail—or he could figure it was wrong and go on.
Extract from : « A Yankee Flier with the R.A.F. » by Rutherford G. Montgomery

He insulted me so grievously that I had to turn tail and run away from him.
Extract from : « Marion Fay » by Anthony Trollope

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Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019