turn one's coat

Definitions

1. To turn against a previous affiliation or allegiance.
   idiomatic
2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see turn, coat.

Equivalents

Examples

“To meet⟳ the exigence of the moment, a considerable army was raised under General Baillie, a Presbyterian officer of skill and fidelity, with whom was joined in command the celebrated Sir John Urrie, a soldier of fortune like⟳ Dalgetty, who had already changed sides twice during the Civil War, and was destined to turn⟳ his coat a third time before it was ended.”

“Bruce would scarcely have⟳ found this sufficient cause to turn⟳ his coat.”

“He also knew that here, in Connecticut, the chance of finding rebels who would turn⟳ their coats was far greater than it was in Boston which, for over two years now, had been the epicenter of the unrest that threatened peace with Britain.”

CEFR level