turn turtle
Invert in water
Turn turtle means to capsize or flip upside down, like a turtle on its back.
The phrase applies most often to boats and vehicles: The canoe turned turtle in the rapids.
It can extend to any situation that goes suddenly wrong or inverts expectations: The whole plan turned turtle when funding fell through.
Overturn in water
- flipQuick turning motion
- invertReverse position or order
- upendFlip to reverse orientation
- keel overSuddenly fall unconscious
roll over · pitchpole · upset · topple · list · heel · swamp · founder
Destroyed vessel at sea
- founderingFailing completely, sinking
- scuttlingHasty, low scurrying motion
- adriftFloating without control
- maroonedLeft stranded and helpless
bilge · hull · keel · seamanship · buoyancy · lifeboat · distress · SOS
Devastating, large-scale misfortune
- calamitySevere misfortune or disaster
- accidentUnintended harmful event
- wreckDestroyed vessel or vehicle
- crashSudden violent impact
mishap · misfortune · tragedy · debacle · fiasco · ruin · collapse · plight
Lacking ability to cope
- defenselessnessState of being unprotected
- exposureState of being unprotected
- precariousnessState of uncertain stability
- perilSerious threat of harm
endangerment · susceptibility · instability · insecurity · jeopardy · risk · danger · fragility
capsize
Overturn in water
keel over · roll over · pitchpole · upset · topple · list · heel · swamp · founder · sink
shipwreck
Destroyed vessel at sea
- founderingFailing completely, sinking
- scuttlingHasty, low scurrying motion
- adriftFloating without control
marooned · bilge · hull · keel · seamanship · buoyancy · lifeboat · distress · SOS · salvage
catastrophe
Devastating, large-scale misfortune
- calamitySevere misfortune or disaster
- accidentUnintended harmful event
- wreckDestroyed vessel or vehicle
crash · mishap · misfortune · tragedy · debacle · fiasco · ruin · collapse · plight · misadventure
helplessness
Lacking ability to cope
- defenselessnessState of being unprotected
- exposureState of being unprotected
- precariousnessState of uncertain stability
peril · endangerment · susceptibility · instability · insecurity · jeopardy · risk · danger · fragility · weakness
turn turtlestay afloat
stabilize · hold steady · right the ship · keep steady · steady
turn turtlethrive
Flourish with vigor
flourish · succeed · prosper · stay on track · hold together
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