Phrase guide

turn on one's heel

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To suddenly turn away from someone or something in order to depart rapidly, especially as expressive of haughtiness, disapproval, or evasiveness.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Arabic: اِنْقَلَبَ عَلَى عَقِبَيْهِ نَكَصَ عَلَى عَقِبَيْهِ (inqalaba ʕalā ʕaqibayhi) — to turn around and leave the other way
  • Finnish: kääntyä kannoillaan — to turn around and leave the other way
  • French: tourner les talons — to turn around and leave the other way