turn up (one's) toes

turn up (one's) toes

1. To die. After the CEO suddenly turned up her toes in 2013, the company has failed to regain its strong sense of direction in the market.

2. To fail; to go out of business. Another local grocery store has turned up their toes, the latest victim of the giant retailer that's been undercutting every competitor's prices.

3. To give up completely; to stop putting in the effort necessary to compete or succeed. Despite a strong showing in the first half, the team seemed to just turn up their toes after their opponents started putting a bit of pressure on.

See also: toe, turn, up

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

turn up one's toes

Sl. to die. When I turn up my toes, I want a big funeral with lots of flowers. Our cat turned up his toes during the night. He was nearly ten years old.

See also: toe, turn, up

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

turn up one's toes

Die, as in He turned up his toes last week. This expression alludes to the position of the toes when one lies flat on one's back without moving. It may be obsolescent. [Mid-1800s]

See also: toe, turn, up

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

turn up your toes

BRITISH, INFORMAL

If someone or something turns up their toes, they die. Pests and diseases can make healthy-looking plants turn up their toes. Note: This expression is used humorously.

See also: toe, turn, up

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

turn up your toes

die. informal

This originated as a mid 19th-century expression, a more elaborate version being turn your toes up to the daisies .

See also: toe, turn, up

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017