turn tail

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Example Sentences

“As I said to my troops before the War of Skratshink Poast, it is better to die ten thousand deaths than turn tail and run! An army need not be stronger—only smarter! And crueler!”

From Literature

In any event, National Review turned tail and ran.

From Los Angeles Times

Unable to generate interest in his incoherent ravings outside the courtroom doors, Trump turned tail and fled back to Florida.

From Salon

Regardless, one wonders if old Myn would have dared toy so brazenly with a male military officer, or if he would have turned tail as soon as his ship landed.

From Salon

That predicted policy easing is considerably more aggressive than what is priced in for the rest of the developed world, a major reason the U.S. dollar has turned tail.

From Reuters