VOCABULARY - IDIOMS

Turn in one's grave

Meaning:

To turn in one's grave or to turn over in one's grave is an idiomatic expression used to describe the anger or revulsion of a dead person if he or she were alive to hear of particular negative news or actions.

Examples:

  • If my grandfather saw the state of our family now, he would turn in his grave.
  • The author would turn in her grave if she knew her masterpiece was being used to sell a product.
  • The founding fathers would turn in their graves if they saw how much power the government has now.
  • If my mother knew I had dropped out of college, she would turn in her grave.
  • The inventor of the lightbulb would turn in his grave if he knew people were still using incandescent bulbs.
  • If he knew his children were fighting over his money, he would turn in his grave.
  • If the artist saw the way her artwork was being displayed, she would turn in her grave.
  • The civil rights leader would turn in his grave if he saw the way some people still discriminate against others.
  • If my grandmother saw how much I spend on clothes, she would turn in her grave.
  • The scientist would turn in his grave if he knew his discoveries were being used for harm instead of good.
  • If the musician knew his music was being used for a commercial, he would turn in his grave.
  • The soldier would turn in his grave if he knew his country was not taking care of its veterans.
  • If the environmentalist saw the way people are polluting the planet, she would turn in her grave.
  • The athlete would turn in his grave if he knew his records were being broken by athletes using performance-enhancing drugs.
  • If the chef knew his restaurant had become a fast-food chain, he would turn in his grave.
  • The poet would turn in her grave if she knew her words were being used for a shallow love song.
  • If the engineer saw the way his designs were being compromised for profit, he would turn in his grave.
  • The activist would turn in her grave if she saw the way some people ignore social issues.
  • If the teacher knew her lessons were being used to promote hate instead of knowledge, she would turn in her grave.
  • The musician would turn in his grave if he knew his lyrics were being censored.
  • Your poor father would turn in his grave if he heard the horrible things you did to your mother.