Example
“The vandals turned tail as soon as the security lights came on.”
Dictionary details
Related idioms
Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.
leave no stone unturned
CEFR B2to try every possible way to achieve or find something
give someone the slip
CEFR B2to escape or evade someone who is following or pursuing you
lay a finger on
CEFR B2to touch or interfere with a person, usually in a warning against causing harm
rock the boat
CEFR B2to disturb a stable situation by causing trouble or challenging accepted arrangements
stand up and be counted
CEFR B2to declare one's position publicly when doing so calls for courage or principle
bury the hatchet
CEFR B1to reconcile with someone and bring a quarrel to an end
Source methodology
Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.