1 C1 neutral
(Of an aircraft) to tip forward onto the nose during landing or taxiing, often causing damage.
"The small propeller plane nosed over on the grass strip after its landing gear sank into soft ground."
nose over
C1 neutral intransitive
Used of an aircraft, vehicle, or boat that tilts or tips forward so the nose goes down.
In plain English
When the front of a plane or car tips down and it falls or flips forward.
What does "nose over" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 neutral
(Of a boat or vehicle) to pitch forward so that the front dips into or toward the ground or water.
"The speedboat hit the wave at the wrong angle and nosed over into the water."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
The nose (front) goes over (forward and down).
Actually means
When the front of a plane or car tips down and it falls or flips forward.
Usage tip
Most commonly used in aviation and motorsport contexts. Rarely used outside technical or journalistic reporting of crashes.
Words that pair with "nose over"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
aircraft plane biplane vehicle runway landing
How to conjugate "nose over"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
nose over
I/you/we/they
3rd person
noses over
he/she/it
Past simple
nosed over
yesterday
Past participle
nosed over
have + pp
-ing form
nosing over
continuous
Hear "nose over" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "nose over" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.