A-Z Database
A euphemism for to die and is recorded in the Bible in Kings II 20:2 “Then he turned his face to wall” and again in Isaiah 38:2.
see Toes-up
To turn over a new leaf means to mend one’s ways and dates from the late 16th century. It uses the act of turning to a new leaf or page in a book as a...
see Swords into ploughshares
To flee or run away, dates from the late 16th century.
To turn the corner is to pass through some difficulty and get into a stronger, safer position and dates in this sense from the early 19th century. It...
This expression from the New Testament means to accept a wrongdoing without seeking retribution, in contrast with the eye for an eye spirit of the Old...
see Put the screws on
To turn the tables means to reverse the position against adversaries or opponents during a contest and so get the upper hand. The expression dates in...
To turn turtle is to turn upside down, chiefly used for boats but also motor vehicles etc. The expression derives from the helplessness of a marine tu...
To turn one’s nose up is to express contempt, derision or rejection and derives from the allusion of turning one’s nose away from a bad smell under it...
see Come up or turn up trumps
A turn-up is slang for an unexpected stroke of luck and dates from the late 19th century, and when used in conjunction with book or books, it refers t...
This expression dates from the 16th century and describes someone who switches allegiances and goes over to the opposition. This was indicated by lite...
Meaning foolish or idle chatter dates from the late 18th century. It derives from earlier and now archaic words like twattle and twittle where a twatt...