turn tail
to run away because you are too frightened to fight or attack

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

turn tail
[informal]
to run away, usually because you are frightened.
When I saw him my first impulse was to turn tail and flee.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

turn tail
to run away from trouble or danger
The young boys turned tail when the farmer began to chase them from the field.

We decided to turn tail and leave the restaurant before there was an argument.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

turn tail
v. phr., informal To run away from trouble or danger.
When the bully saw my big brother, he turned tail and ran.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲