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.

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

If he deviated a hair's breadth at that speed he'd turn turtle.

From El Diablo by Groesbeck, Dan Sayre

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

In this nasty sea we were afraid she might turn turtle, as another steamer had done some months ago.

From Two Years with the Natives in the Western Pacific by Speiser, Felix

The schooner heeled until the lad was sure that she was going to turn turtle.

From The Battleship Boys' First Step Upward or, Winning Their Grades as Petty Officers by Patchin, Frank Gee