keeled over
Dropped like deadweight
Keeled over describes suddenly collapsing or falling down, typically from illness, exhaustion, or death.
The expression comes from nautical terminology, where a ship that keels over has capsized or turned on its side.
When applied to people, it suggests an abrupt, dramatic fall rather than a gradual decline: He keeled over from heat stroke during the marathon.
The phrase often implies loss of consciousness or worse.
- swoonedFainted from emotion
- faintedLost consciousness briefly
- droppedLet fall downward
- dropped deadDied suddenly, without warning
- collapsedFell inward suddenly
passed out · slumped · founder · crumpled · capsize · tumbled · sink · topple · succumbed · plunged · out like a light · fell flat · took a tumble · hit the deck · give way · lights out · overturn · break down