turtled

Went belly up

Turtled describes something that has flipped upside down, like a turtle on its back—helpless and unable to right itself.

A capsized boat has turtled.

A car that rolled over in an accident lies turtled in a ditch.

In gaming, turtled describes a player who has adopted an extremely defensive posture, retreating into a protective shell: He turtled up and waited out the clock.

flipped

overturned

Turned upside down

capsizedFlipped upside down, nautically
upendedTipped to reverse orientation
toppledCaused to fall

inverted · upside-down · tumbled · belly-up · somersaulted · overbalanced · kayak · canoe · boat · car

defensive

withdrawn

Emotionally distant, disengaged

retractedWithdrew a prior statement
hunchedBent at spine
curledFormed into coils

shielded · sheltered · protected · hunkered · ducked · cowered · crouched · guarded · retreated · contracted

Opposites

orientation/position

turtledrighted

Restored proper position

uprighted · balanced · stabilized · upright · recovered

DEFENSIVE POSTURE (figurative)

turtledengaged

Pledged to marry

advanced · attacked · charged · emerged · opened up

POSTURE/VULNERABILITY (protective stance)

turtledexposed

Out in open

unfurled · extended · opened up · spread out · vulnerable

Phrases

sea turtlesOcean-dwelling shelled reptiles
turtle shellReptile's bony covering
freshwater turtlesAquatic reptiles in lakes
snapping turtleFierce aquatic chelonian
Ninja TurtlesMutant reptile martial artists
turtle dovesSmall affectionate pigeons

Family

turtle, turtles, turtleneck, turtling

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G