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 same terrific force gave the steamer a lurch, and she threatened to turn turtle.

From The Boys of the Wireless by Webster, Frank V.

Her tail rose, and she started, with dreadful deliberateness, to turn turtle.

From The Trail of the Hawk A Comedy of the Seriousness of Life by Lewis, Sinclair

We hope his prophecy may be realised, but we cannot help wondering what would happen if his aeroplane were to turn turtle on the way.

From Punch, or The London Charivari, Vol. 150, May 31, 1916 by Various

Being almost hove short, the ship could not rise quickly enough to the seas, and was besides rolling so much that she threatened to turn turtle every minute.

From A Modern Buccaneer by Boldrewood, Rolf

But the sorcerer answered: “Did not my ship turn turtle at sea, and yet you try to deceive me?”

From The Chinese Fairy Book by Wilhelm, Richard