turn turtle

• Se retourner complètement ou chavirer, généralement en parlant d'un bateau, d'un navire ou d'un véhicule ; s'emploie aussi au sens figuré pour décrire quelqu'un ou quelque chose qui devient impuissant ou inactif.

To turn upside down or capsize, typically used for boats, ships, or vehicles; also used figuratively to describe someone or something that becomes helpless or inactive.

1. Capsize or overturnB2informal

   To turn upside down or capsize, typically used for boats or vehicles.

   Chavirer, se retourner

   • The small boat turned turtle in the stormy sea.
   • The car hit a patch of ice and turned turtle on the road.
   • The kayak turned turtle when he lost his balance.

2. Become passive or inactiveC1informal

   To become passive, withdraw, or stop being active, like a turtle retreating into its shell.

   se replier sur soi-même

   • After the argument, he turned turtle and refused to speak.
   • The company turned turtle during the economic crisis.
   • She turned turtle and avoided all social events.