Pronunciation: /tɜrn teɪl/
noun a person's buttocks or rear end
A1 When the dog saw the bigger dog approaching, it quickly turned tail and ran away.
A2 The rabbit turned tail when it heard a loud noise in the bushes.
B1 The hiker turned tail when he realized he was lost in the forest.
B2 The politician turned tail and left the press conference when confronted with tough questions.
C1 The spy turned tail and fled the country when his cover was blown.
C2 The CEO turned tail and abandoned the sinking company, leaving employees to fend for themselves.
verb to retreat or run away in fear or cowardice
A1 The cat turned tail and ran away from the dog.
A2 When the teacher scolded him, he turned tail and left the classroom.
B1 Feeling overwhelmed by the workload, she decided to turn tail and quit her job.
B2 Despite the criticism, the artist refused to turn tail and compromise his vision.
C1 The politician's scandal caused him to turn tail and resign from office.
C2 After the failed negotiation, the company had no choice but to turn tail and declare bankruptcy.
formal When faced with danger, the soldiers decided to turn tail and retreat.
informal As soon as the boss started yelling, he turned tail and left the room.
slang The bully tried to pick a fight with him, but he turned tail and ran away.
figurative After realizing he was wrong, he had to turn tail and apologize for his mistake.
turned
turn tails
more turn-taily
most turn-taily
turns tail
will turn tail
has turned tail
is turning tail
turn tail
turn tail
to turn tail
turning tail
turned tail