turtle up
C1 slang inseparable intransitive
In simple words
Pull away from others and hide your feelings, like a turtle going into its shell.
Literal meaning: A turtle pulling its limbs and head up into its protective shell.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
slang
To emotionally withdraw and become unresponsive or uncommunicative, especially under stress or during conflict.
"Whenever they argued, he would turtle up and refuse to discuss his feelings."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Informal, mainly American slang. Often used to describe emotional withdrawal during conflict or stress. More common in spoken language and online communities than in formal writing.
Commonly used with
emotionally under pressure when stressed socially
Forms
Base
turtle up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
turtles up
he/she/it
Past simple
turtled up
yesterday
Past participle
turtled up
have + pp
-ing form
turtling up
continuous
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Synonyms
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