Turn tail Meaning in English
expression
ˈtɝn/ /ˈteɪɫ
TURN-TAYL
tˈɜːn/ /tˈeɪl
TURN-TAYL
释义
To run away quickly, especially because you are scared or defeated. Often used when someone leaves a situation to avoid trouble or danger.
用法与细微差别
Mainly informal or literary. Implies fear, cowardice, or avoiding a challenge. Often used with animals for comic effect ('The cat turned tail and ran'). Similar to 'run away' or 'flee', but with more emphasis on fear or shame.
Spanish: huir - salir corriendoPortuguese (BR): fugir - dar no péPortuguese (PT): fugir - pôr-se em fugaChinese (Simplified): 临阵脱逃 - 逃跑Chinese (Traditional): 臨陣脫逃 - 逃跑Hindi: भाग जाना - डरकर भागनाArabic: فر هاربًا - يولي الأدبارBengali: পিছন ফিরিয়ে পালানো - দৌড়ে পালানো (ভয়ে)Russian: обратить в бегство - удрать (от страха)Japanese: 尻尾を巻いて逃げるVietnamese: quay đầu bỏ chạy - tháo chạy (vì sợ)Korean: 꼬리를 감추고 도망치다 - 겁에 질려 도망가다Turkish: kuyruğunu kıstırıp kaçmakUrdu: دم دبا کر بھاگ جاناIndonesian: angkat kaki - kabur (karena takut)
例句
The rabbit turned tail and ran when it saw the fox.
basic
He turned tail as soon as trouble started.
basic
The soldiers turned tail when they saw the enemy.
basic
When the boss got angry, the interns all turned tail and disappeared.
natural
Don’t turn tail now — we’re almost finished!
natural
As soon as things got rough, he was the first to turn tail.
natural