the worm will turn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the worm will turn" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a person or group that has been passive or submissive will eventually retaliate or assert themselves. Example: "After years of being overlooked at work, she finally decided to speak up; the worm will turn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Ultimately, the worm will turn, there will be a point at which, collectively, Australians will look at this moment as a stain on our history.

The Guardian

Amazon's valuation, which is many times its actual revenue, only makes sense if you believe that at some point in the future the worm will turn and Amazon will have so much market leverage, so much control, that it will become tremendously profitable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Soon, then, we must surmise, the circle will be complete, the worm will turn--choose your metaphor--and the distance between an obscure, independent-press poetry release and Joanna Newsom's Rolling Stone-reviewed music will disappear completely.

Huffington Post

The worms will turn the food into compost, which you can collect and use on your lawn or in your garden.

WikiHow

He added, "The housing worm will turn when buyers' desperate fear of being left behind is replaced by the fear of purchasing just as the market peaks.

The New York Times

The six directions are numbered as follows: So direction 0 indicates the worm continues to travel straight ahead, direction 1 indicates the worm will make a right turn of 60° and similarly for the other directions.

Wikipedia

And if you cut a worm in half – only one part of the worm will die!

BBC

The City has been behaving with supreme and breathtaking arrogance in the past three weeks, apparently convinced the government worm will not turn.

The Guardian - Business

The page will turn.

WikiHow

This way the worms will have something to decompose and turn into compost.

WikiHow

"The worms will come to the top.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the worm will turn" to signal an eventual reversal of fortunes, especially when a long period of hardship or oppression is expected to end.

Common error

Avoid using "the worm will turn" literally to refer to actual worms or turning movements; it is almost exclusively used metaphorically to describe a change in power dynamics or circumstances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the worm will turn" functions as an idiomatic expression. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, suggesting a reversal of fortunes. It often implies that a previously submissive party will eventually resist or retaliate.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the worm will turn" is an idiom used to describe a situation where a reversal of fortunes is expected. Ludwig AI confirms it as grammatically correct and suitable for various writing contexts. While not overly frequent, it effectively conveys a shift in power or circumstances, making it a valuable tool in language. Its usage is primarily found in news and media, offering a neutral tone to discussions of change and resistance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the tables will turn

Emphasizes a reversal of fortune or roles.

fortune will change

Focuses on the alteration of someone's luck.

the tide will turn

Implies a significant shift in a situation or trend.

things will change

A general expression indicating an upcoming alteration.

the situation will be reversed

Highlights a complete turnaround in circumstances.

power will shift

Specifically indicates a change in control or authority.

comeuppance will be served

Suggests that someone will receive their deserved punishment.

revenge will be exacted

Implies retaliation for a wrong suffered.

the oppressed will rise

Focuses on the uprising of those who have been suppressed.

the downtrodden will prevail

Highlights the eventual victory of those who have been suffering.

FAQs

What does "the worm will turn" mean?

It's an idiom that means a situation of weakness or submission will eventually change to one of strength or resistance.

When is it appropriate to use the idiom "the worm will turn"?

Use it when you want to suggest that someone who is currently in a weak or disadvantaged position will eventually rise up and assert themselves.

Are there alternative phrases to "the worm will turn"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "the tables will turn", "the tide will turn", or "fortune will change" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "the worm will turn" a formal or informal expression?

It's generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it's more common in writing and speech than in highly formal documents.