Even a worm will turn

(even) a worm will turn

proverb Even quiet, submissive people will get angry if you continually agitate them. Sweet little Janine is going to snap at you if you keep bugging her—even a worm will turn sometimes. I'm not convinced that the dictator will be able to stay in power for much longer—even a worm will turn, you know. Yes, regrettably, I used to scream at my employees over every little thing, until I realized how many of them were resigning so as to not have to deal with me. It really made it clear that a worm will turn.

See also: turn, will, worm

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

Even a worm will turn.

Prov. Even a meek person will become angry if you abuse him or her too much. You'd better stop maltreating Amy. She's a mild-mannered woman, but even a worm will turn.

See also: even, turn, will, worm

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.