keel over
keel over — phrasal verb
- keel overbase form
- keels over3rd person singular
- keeling over-ing form
- keeled overpast simple
1. to fall or collapse suddenly, usually because you are ill, weak, or overcome by
to fall or collapse suddenly, usually because you are ill, weak, or overcome by heat, shock, or exhaustion
Asher stood up too quickly and nearly keeled over in the middle of the classroom.
intransitive: person keels over from a specific trigger (sudden movement)
During the summer heatwave, an elderly woman keeled over while waiting for the bus.
informal register: collapse from heat / environmental cause
The marathon runner keeled over at the finish line, completely drained of energy.
After eating the spoiled fish, Padma suddenly keeled over and had to be rushed to the hospital.
- collapse
more formal and can apply to buildings or systems; keel over is specifically for people or animals
- pass out
emphasises losing consciousness rather than falling; keel over focuses on the act of falling
- faint
specifically means lose consciousness temporarily; keel over can describe collapse even if you stay awake
文法句型
person + keel over (from/with + cause)
用法筆記
This sense is informal and describes a sudden physical collapse. It is often used with a following phrase explaining the cause: keel over from heat / with exhaustion / in the middle of something.
常見錯誤
2. when a boat or ship tips so far sideways that it turns onto its side or complete
when a boat or ship tips so far sideways that it turns onto its side or completely flips over in the water
The fishing boat keeled over in the storm, throwing all four crew members into the sea.
nautical: boat + keel over + cause (storm)
When the heavy cargo shifted to one side, the small vessel keeled over and started taking on water.
Lucas tried to steer the sailboat through the wave, but it keeled over under the force of the wind.
The overloaded canoe keeled over as soon as it hit the open water.
- capsize
more formal and the standard nautical term; keel over is slightly more informal
- turn turtle
idiomatic, specifically means turning completely upside down; less common
- overturn
general term for any object flipping over; less specific to boats
文法句型
boat/vessel + keel over (+ cause)
用法筆記
This is the original nautical sense. It is less common in everyday conversation but still widely understood. When describing a ship turning completely upside down, keel over is stronger than simply listing ('lean to one side').