keel over

Meaning

1. (also, figuratively, intransitive) Of a vessel: to roll so far on its side that it cannot recover; to capsize or turn turtle.
2. (idiomatic, intransitive) To collapse in a faint; to black out, to swoon.
3. (idiomatic, intransitive) To die.

Synonyms

cant over

capsize

overturn

tumble

crash

fall

go down

go over

invert

make over

overbalance

overrule

overthrow

subvert

tip over

topple

upset

upturn

alter

heel over

buck

change

come round

Translations

chavirer

kentern

umkippen

omvallen

renverser

zozobrar

aus den Latschen kippen

canviar-se

convertir-se

umdrehen

umbilden

umstellen

umwenden

verwandeln

modificar-se

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈkiːl ˈəʊvə(ɹ)/

Etymology

The original nautical meaning (sense 1) refers to a vessel rolling to the extent that its keel (“a large beam along the underside of the vessel’s hull from bow to stern”) is visible.