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.

The San Martin, losing steerage way, was rolling horribly in the trough of the sea; any instant she might turn turtle.

From The Nameless Island A Story of some Modern Robinson Crusoes by Westerman, Percy F. (Percy Francis)

It would never have been believed two years ago that ships like the Cressy, Aboukir, and Hogue would turn turtle a few minutes after a single blow from a torpedo.

From The Story of the Great War, Volume I (of 8) Introductions; Special Articles; Causes of War; Diplomatic and State Papers by Churchill, Allen L. (Allen Leon)

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

He had either to crash squarely into the other automobile or he had to run the risk of having his own machine turn turtle.

From Bert Wilson at the Wheel by Duffield, J. W.

Herein lay real danger, for if the deck-load of ashes grew too heavy the Bear might turn turtle.

From The Boy With the U. S. Life-Savers by Rolt-Wheeler, Francis