turn turtle

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Then I got alarmed, thinking the machine might turn turtle on me, so I shut off the engine, intending to glide to earth.

From The Rover Boys in the Air From College Campus to the Clouds by Stratemeyer, Edward

And, after the manner of such eccentric craft, the canvas shell proceeded to turn turtle.

From Lad: A Dog by Terhune, Albert Payson

She careened so badly that the girls shrieked and Malcolm himself thought she would turn turtle.

From The Red Year A Story of the Indian Mutiny by Tracy, Louis

His boat would "turn turtle" or be cut in two by the craft behind.

From El Diablo by Groesbeck, Dan Sayre

Q. But do not the iron-clads comprising this fleet frequently turn turtle?

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 105, September 9, 1893 by Various