turtle head

English

A box turtle's head hiding in its shell

Alternative forms

Etymology

By analogy with the manner whereby a turtle's or tortoise's head gradually emerges from the shell, after having been kept inside for some time for defensive or resting purposes. When threatened (such as by contact), the head rapidly retreats into the shell, which might have further reinforced the vulgar analogy.

Verb

turtle head (third-person singular simple present turtle heads, present participle turtle heading, simple past and past participle turtle headed) (idiomatic slang, intransitive)

  1. (vulgar, of feces) To emerge partially from the body, as a result of heightened internal pressure in the bowels.
  2. (euphemistic or vulgar, of a person) To struggle to keep an imminent bowel movement wholly inside oneself.

Usage notes

Most commonly used in the present participle, often with the progressive aspect, owing to the idiom's naturally continuous meaning; the other verbal forms are rarer.

Synonyms

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