PhrasesHub

Keel over

    Definitions

      • faint or collapse
        Describe someone suddenly falling to the ground due to a loss of consciousness or physical weakness

      • die
        Describe someone suddenly falling to the ground due to death

    Examples of Keel over

    • The old man keeled over suddenly during dinner.

      This idiom is used to describe a sudden and unexpected collapse or fainting spell, especially by someone who is elderly or in poor health.

    • She heard the devastating news and almost keeled over with shock.

      This idiom is used to describe a strong emotional reaction that nearly causes someone to faint or collapse due to the intensity of their feelings.

    • The CEO of the company keeled over from a heart attack in the middle of a board meeting.

      This idiom is used to describe a serious and sudden medical emergency that results in unconsciousness or collapse.

    • The news of the company's financial ruin keeled over the entire staff.

      This idiom is used to describe the overwhelming and debilitating effect that bad news can have on a group of people, causing them to become weak, disheartened, and unable to function effectively.

    • John's heart suddenly stopped beating, and he keeled over without any warning.

      The phrase "keeled over" is used to describe someone collapsing suddenly and suddenly falling to the ground due to sudden illness or shock. This figure of speech originates from the old nautical term "keel" which refers to the bottom part of a boat. When a boat keels over, it literally falls over sideways. By using this idiom, we can vividly depict a sudden and unexpected falling to the ground by a person.

    • The news of his failure to win the election was too much for him to bear, and he keeled over in defeat.

      Here, the idiom is being used metaphorically to depict someone being overwhelmed by the enormity of a situation, and collapsing as a result. In other words, the person was so emotionally affected by the news that he collapsed, just as a boat would keel over in the face of rough seas.

    • The old man's weak heart finally gave out, and he keeled over in his sleep.

      Here, the idiom is being used to describe someone's sudden and unexpected death due to heart failure, as if their heart had stopped suddenly and caused them to collapse. This use of the idiom is particularly poignant as it highlights the fragility of life and the suddenness with which it can be taken away.

    • The audience was riveted to the stage as the performer delivered her spellbinding speech, but finally, she keeled over due to exhaustion.

      Here, the idiom is being used to describe someone's exhaustion after a long and arduous performance. By using this idiom, we can vividly depict someone suddenly collapsing due to physical exhaustion, just as a boat might keel over due to the strain placed upon it by rough seas. This idiom can be particularly effective when used in relation to dramatic or high-energy situations, where the suddenness of the collapse can serve to underline the intensity of the scene.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "keel over" is used to describe someone either fainting or collapsing due to physical weakness, or dying suddenly. It is often used in a casual or informal context to convey a sense of surprise or unexpectedness in the event.

    Origin of "Keel over"

    The origin of the idiom "keel over" can be traced back to nautical terminology. The "keel" of a ship is the central structural beam that runs along the bottom of the vessel, providing stability and balance. When a ship "keels over," it tilts to one side, often due to a strong gust of wind or rough waters. This sudden and unexpected movement can cause items or people on the ship to fall or collapse, much like the figurative meaning of the idiom.

    The idiom likely transitioned from its nautical origins to its current figurative usage over time, as people began to use the phrase to describe sudden collapses or falls in a variety of contexts. Over time, it became associated with both physical weakness and sudden death, capturing the sense of surprise and unexpectedness that comes with such events.