keel over

USAGE SUMMARY

"keel over" is correct and usable in English.
You can use it when you want to refer to someone suddenly collapsing or falling over, often after feeling overwhelmed or faint. For example: "As soon as the teacher started scolding the student, she keeled over."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

You keel over again and knock your head, I'm in real trouble".

The New Yorker

Esquire magazine, a monument to male vitality, seemed about to keel over in 2009.

The New York Times

The first sector to keel over was residential construction, as demand for new homes dried up.

The Economist

In the seconds before the boat began to keel over, he leapt into the merchant ship.

The Guardian

I learned from them that you just can't keel over and give in".

The New York Times

"I'm going to say, 'Motion denied,' and then keel over," he predicted.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Lehman keeled over?

The New York Times - Magazine

"I nearly keeled over," Garner said.

The Guardian - Books

"I feel incapacitated," he insists, then keels over again.

The New Yorker

Dumbledore keeled over right in middle of Gryffindor turkeygriff buffet.

The Guardian - Books

"In the past, you got sick and you keeled over and died," he said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keel over" to vividly describe a sudden and unexpected collapse, whether physical or metaphorical. It adds a sense of abruptness to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "keel over" solely in contexts of physical fainting or collapse. While accurate, the phrase is powerful for describing sudden failures or downfalls. For instance, a business deal can "keel over" due to unforeseen circumstances.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "keel over" functions as an intransitive verb, indicating an action performed by a subject without acting upon a direct object. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies a sudden collapse or failure. Examples show its use in both literal and figurative contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

3%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keel over" is a phrasal verb that commonly describes a sudden collapse or failure. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and applicability in various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, the phrase offers a vivid way to describe abrupt events, whether literal or figurative. While versatile, be mindful of the level of formality required by the context. Alternatives like ""collapse"" or ""faint"" can be used when a more formal tone is needed. Remember that "keel over" is a great way to dramatically emphasize that something abrupt and unexpected happened.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collapse

General term for suddenly falling down or failing.

faint

Specifically refers to losing consciousness briefly.

pass out

Informal term for losing consciousness.

black out

Sudden loss of consciousness or awareness.

give way

Suggests a structural failure or yielding under pressure.

succumb

Implies yielding to an illness, temptation, or other negative force.

bite the dust

Idiomatic expression for dying or failing.

go under

Implies financial failure or sinking.

founder

Describes a ship sinking or a plan failing.

meet one's end

Euphemistic way to say someone died.

FAQs

How to use "keel over" in a sentence?

You can use "keel over" to describe someone collapsing or something suddenly failing. For example, "He was so shocked he almost keeled over" or "The project keeled over due to lack of funding".

What does "keel over" mean?

"Keel over" has two main meanings: one, for a vessel to capsize; and two, for a person to collapse or faint. It can also be used figuratively to describe something failing suddenly.

What can I say instead of "keel over"?

Alternatives to "keel over" include "collapse", "faint", "pass out", or "succumb", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "keel over" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider your audience. In highly formal contexts, alternatives like ""collapse"" or ""succumb"" might be more suitable. "Keel over" is more common in news and media, as well as informal conversations.