Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

turn in one's grave

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.03 in modern English

Syllables: turn in one's -grave
IPA

19

Scrabble Score

15

Letters

2

Syllables

11

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To be appalled, offended or disgusted by something, despite being deceased.

verb

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see turn, in, one's, grave.

Example Sentences

"Beethoven is probably turning in his grave at the way that rock group mangled his Ninth Symphony."
"The new scientific discovery about the gravitation particle could make Isaac Newton turn in his grave."
"Brought forth wind that made critics rave / While Verdi turned round in his grave"
"If he ever finds out who's hijacked his name / He'll cut out his heart and turn in his grave"

Etymology

Documented in English since 1801, perhaps from Jewish rabbinic tradition that the bones of Judah rolled about in his coffin for his shame during the Exodus.

Inflected Forms

turns in one's grave (present, singular) turning in one's grave (participle, present) turned in one's grave (participle, past) turned in one's grave (past) turn over in one's grave (alternative)

Synonyms

roll in one's grave roll over in one's grave spin in one's grave

Questions

What does turn in one's grave mean?: To be appalled, offended or disgusted by something, despite being deceased.
Where does turn in one's grave come from?: Documented in English since 1801, perhaps from Jewish rabbinic tradition that the bones of Judah rolled about in his coffin for his shame during the Exodus.

How to pronounce turn in one's grave

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “turn in one's grave”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “turn in one's grave”.
Repeat and practice — Say “turn in one's grave” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.