to turn one's coat
- idiom
:
cambiar de bando
- Many voters distrusted the candidate after he was accused of turning his coat during the campaign.
Examples
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Many voters were upset when they learned that the politician had turned his coat to support the opposing party.
-
She decided not to turn her coat even though the new management offered her a promotion.
-
Throughout history, leaders who turn their coat are often viewed with suspicion by their supporters.
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Don't turn your coat just because the situation has changed!
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He turned his coat when he saw the new leadership.
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She chose not to turn her coat despite the better offer, remaining loyal to her current employer.
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Historically, generals who turn their coat during a war often face harsh criticism from those who once supported them.
Synonyms
81
4.1
To change your mind and accept something you first refused
77
3.8
To start opposing someone you once supported
23
5.3
To suddenly change your opinion or decision
19
4.6
To change support from one group or person to another
6
5.1
To show a different opinion after you were against it before
4
6.8
To completely change your opinion or decision
3
6.6
To suddenly change your opinion or plan to the opposite
1
8.2
To change opinions or promises about important matters often without a clear reason
Change opinions often to fit new people or situations
To have a different opinion after seeing new facts or benefits
Antonyms
How Loyal
Surface Forms
Morphology
The verb 'turn' conveys change and 'coat' is an outward garment, so a learner who knows the words may infer a change of outward position or appearance. However, the specific sociopolitical sense of opportunistically changing allegiance (as in 'turncoat') depends on a cultural/historical metaphor and is not fully predictable from the constituents, making it only partially transparent.
Etymology
The phrase turn one's coat comes from a simple picture: people would turn their coat to show the other colour or lining, showing they had joined the other side. So turn one's coat means 'to change sides or loyalty', usually for personal gain.