IdiomBody & Senses
English
Englishturn one's back on someone
Meaning: To abandon or refuse to help someone.
Example: “The town didn't turn its back on the family after the fire.”
Origin: Turning away shows refusal, and in battle it meant flight. The figurative phrase is found in English from the 16th century.
Equivalents in other languages
Spanish: volver la espalda Literally: To turn the back
More English idioms
- have plenty left in the tank To still have energy or resources in reserve.
- willy-nilly Whether one wants it or not; also, in a disorganized way.
- make oneself scarce To leave quickly, or to keep out of the way.
- no holds barred With no rules or restraints.
- jump at the chance To accept an opportunity eagerly and at once.
- a matter of life and death Something of the greatest possible seriousness.
Explore another collection: Tongue Twisters
Tricky phrases to practice out loud, from languages around the world.
- How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? A 'w/ch/ck' drill that accelerates comically — and nobody really knows the answer.
- The sixth sick sheikh's sixth sheep's sick. Believed by Guinness to be among the hardest in English — 'six/sick/sheikh/sheep' blur in…
- Betty Botter bought some butter, but she said the butter's bitter. A 'b / t / tt' plosive drill that bounces between Betty, butter, and bitter.
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