Meaning & use
turn tail
Last updated
Meanings
phraseidiominformal
to run away from a fight, danger, or a difficult situation because you are afraid
Grammar: Used as an intransitive verb phrase; it does not take an object. You can say 'turn tail and run' for emphasis.
Patterns
- turn tail and run
- turn tail from something
The dog turned tail and ran when it saw the bigger animal.
When the argument got heated, he turned tail and left the room.
The soldiers turned tail when they realized they were outnumbered.
phraseidiomfigurative
to abandon a course of action or a commitment, especially out of fear or weakness
Grammar: Often followed by 'on someone' or 'from something' to show what is being abandoned.
Patterns
- turn tail on someone
- turn tail from something
The company turned tail on its promise to raise wages.
She accused the government of turning tail on its climate commitments.
Common combinations
- turn tail and run
- The thief turned tail and run when the alarm went off.
- turn tail from danger
- The villagers turned tail from danger without a second thought.
- turn tail on someone
- He would never turn tail on his friends.
Synonyms and how they differ
- flee
- More formal and neutral; it simply means to run away and does not suggest cowardice.
- retreat
- Often used for armies or organized groups; it can be a planned move rather than a fearful one.
- run away
- A general phrase; it does not carry the same strong image of showing your tail like a scared animal.
Opposites
Commonly confused: turn tail or turn heads? turn tail or turn the tables?
turn tail vs turn heads
Means to attract attention, not to run away.
turn tail vs turn the tables
Means to reverse a situation to your advantage, not to flee.
Practice
When the bully approached, the younger boy ______ and ran home.
Choose one answer.
'Turned tail' fits because it means ran away out of fear, matching 'ran home'. 'Turned a profit' means made money, 'turned the corner' means passed a critical point, and 'turned up' means arrived or appeared—none fits the context of fleeing.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “turn tail”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.