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.
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.
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]
turn up your toes
BRITISH, INFORMALIf 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.
turn up your toes
die. informalThis originated as a mid 19th-century expression, a more elaborate version being turn your toes up to the daisies .