Etymology: based on the idea that you could quickly change the direction in which you are moving by literally turning on your heel
(redirected from turn on heel)
turn on (one's) heel
To suddenly leave or depart. After walking in on an obviously private conversation, I turned on my heel and stepped right back out of the room.Several high-profile sponsors have turned on their heels following the athlete's controversial statements.
turn on one's heel
Leave, as in When I inquired about his sister, he turned on his heel and walked away. This idiom alludes to making a sharp about-face similar to a military step but here usually implies a sudden departure. It was first recorded in 1751.
turn on your heel
turn sharply round.
ˌturn/ˌspin on your ˈheel
suddenly turn around and leave, often because you are angry or annoyed: Quite unexpectedly he turned on his heel and walked out of the door.