New Player Log In. Newest Questions Post a Question Search All Questions Please cite any factual claims with citation links or references from authoritative sources. Editors continuously recheck submissions and claims. Archived Questions Goto Qn. What does the phrase "The worm has turned" mean? Currently voted the best answer. The worm turns comes from an old proverb, "Tread on a worm and it will turn," meaning that even the most defenseless creature will, when sufficiently provoked, attempt to defend itself.
The phrase was first recorded in a collection of proverbs by John Heywood, in the form "Treade a worme on the tayle, and it must turne agayne. Most commonly, it is a phrase used when someone who has always been weak and obedient starts to behave more confidently or take control of a situation.
A couple of references: It's one of many derived forms of an old proverb, the base of which is either tread on a worm and it will turn or even a worm will turn. It means 'even the most humble will strike back if abused enough'. The proverb is first recorded in John Heywood's collection of proverbs in the form: "Tread a woorme on the tayle and it must turne agayne.
Browse the world is sb's oyster idiom. Test your vocabulary with our fun image quizzes. Image credits. Word of the Day kind-hearted. About this. Blog Outsets and onsets! Read More. November 08, To top. Sign up for free and get access to exclusive content:. Free word lists and quizzes from Cambridge. Some investors believe that the worm has turned , and that the economy is getting better.
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