turtle down
C1 slang inseparable intransitive
In simple words
Pull back like a turtle going into its shell to stay safe.
Literal meaning: A turtle pulling its head and limbs into its shell and lowering itself.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
slang
To adopt a defensive or passive position, avoiding confrontation or risk.
"When the market became volatile, the investors decided to turtle down and hold cash."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Niche slang, particularly in gaming communities and some American informal speech. Derives from the image of a turtle retreating into its shell. Not widely known outside specific communities.
Commonly used with
defensively shell position risk market
Forms
Base
turtle down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
turtles down
he/she/it
Past simple
turtled down
yesterday
Past participle
turtled down
have + pp
-ing form
turtling down
continuous
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Synonyms
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