turn tail   1 [teyl] Astronomy. the luminous stream extending
from the head of a comet. the reverse of a coin (opposed to head
). Aeronautics. the after portion of an airplane or the like.
the tapering skirts or ends at the back of a coat, especially a
tail coat. men's full-dress attire. Distilling. alcohol obtained
in the final distillation. Compare head ( def 22 ). Slang. the
buttocks or rump. Slang: Vulgar. sexual intercourse. Usually
Disparaging and Offensive. a woman considered as a sex object.
the hinder, bottom, or end part of anything; the rear. a final
or concluding part of a sentence, conversation, social
gathering, etc.; conclusion; end: The tail of the speech was
boring. Toward the tail of the concert I'd begun to get tired.
the inferior or unwanted part of anything. a long braid or tress
of hair. a line of persons awaiting their turns at something;
queue. a retinue; train. the lower part of a pool or stream.
Printing, Bookbinding. the bottom of a page or book. coming from
behind: a tail breeze. v