go into one's shell en · VERB
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
From turtles, who go into their shells to protect themselves.
Meanings
-
(idiomatic) To act defensively.
Instead of gathering the ball, De Gea poked it away with his foot and Streller was able to place a powerful half-volley into the net. United went into their shells and it was not until the 29th minute that they mustered a response - one from which they should have equalised.
2011 December 7, David Ornstein, “FC Basel 2 - 1 Man Utd”, in BBC Sport:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| went into one's shell | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| gone into one's shell | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| goes into one's shell | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| going into one's shell | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic |