Dictionary

turn one's coat en · VERB

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Etymology

From the practice of turning one's uniform coat inside out in order to hide the colors reflecting one's allegiance.

Meanings

1. (idiomatic) To turn against a previous affiliation or allegiance.
   • Bruce would scarcely have found this sufficient cause to turn his coat. 2012, Nigel Tranter, The Wallace, →ISBN:
   • To meet the exigence of the moment, a considerable army was raised under General Baillie, a Presbyterian officer of skill and fidelity, with whom was joined in command the celebrated Sir John Urrie, a soldier of fortune like Dalgetty, who had already changed sides twice during the Civil War, and was destined to turn his coat a third time before it was ended. 1819, Sir Walter Scott, A Legend of Montrose:
   • He also knew that here, in Connecticut, the chance of finding rebels who would turn their coats was far greater than it was in Boston which, for over two years now, had been the epicenter of the unrest that threatened peace with Britain. 2014, Scott Stanley, Betrayal of the Cloak, →ISBN, page 44:
2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see turn, coat.

Forms

Relateds

turncoat

Synonyms

change sides · defect

Translations (8)

fr tourner casaque (to turn against a previous affiliation of allegiance) · sv vända kappan efter vinden (to turn against a previous affiliation of allegiance) · pl przechodzić do wrogiego obozu (to turn against a previous affiliation of allegiance) · pl przejść do wrogiego obozu (to turn against a previous affiliation of allegiance) · ru переметну́ться (to turn against a previous affiliation of allegiance) · pt virar a casaca (to turn against a previous affiliation of allegiance) · fr retourner sa veste (to turn against a previous affiliation of allegiance) · fi kääntää takkinsa (to turn against a previous affiliation of allegiance)