turn tail Definition

tail¹
noun

1. The part of an animal's body that projects from the lower or rear end of the back to form a flexible appendage.
2. The feathers that project from the rear of a bird's body.
3. Anything which has a similar form, function or position as a creature's tail.

Example: shirt tail
4. A lower, last or rear part.

Example: the tail of the storm
5. The rear part of an aircraft including the rudder and tailplane.
6. astron.
The trail of luminous particles following a comet.
7. The reverse side of a coin, that side which does not bear a portrait or head. Compare heads at head noun 21.

Form: tails
8. A tailcoat.

Form: tails
9. Evening dress for men, usually including a tailcoat and white bow tie.

Form: tails
10. colloq
Someone who follows and keeps a constant watch on someone else.
11. colloq
The buttocks.
12a. offensive, slang
Women thought of as sexual objects;
12b. offensive, slang
The female genitalia.

verb tailed, tailing

1. To remove the stalks (from fruit or vegetables).
2. To follow someone or something very closely.

Thesaurus: follow, track, trail, spy on, shadow, stalk, dog (slang).
3. To provide someone with a tail.
4. To join (objects or ideas, etc) with or as if with a tail.

Derivative: tailed

Having a tail.

With the tail removed.

Note: in compounds
Having a tail of a specified kind.

Derivative: tailless
adj

Idiom: turn tail

To turn round and run away.

Idiom: with one's tail between one's legs

Completely defeated or humiliated.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon tægel.

Phrasal Verb: tail away or off

To become gradually less, smaller or weaker.