中文里说“掉头就跑”，在英文里则是调转尾巴。这是来源于，猫狗遇到危险逃跑时，尾巴就会转过来。所以turn tail表示”掉头逃跑，转身逃走”。

【例句】
The coward turned tail when faced with a problem.
懦夫面对问题就会逃避。

When this bully saw my big brother, Tom, he turned tail and ran. I don't think he'll bother me again. You know, I'm really proud of Tom -- some day I hope I'll be as big and strong as he is.
这个小霸王一看到我的老大哥Tom掉转头来就一溜烟地逃走了。我想他再也不会来找我麻烦了。你知道我可真为Tom大哥骄傲，但愿我有一天也能像他那样高大强壮。