turncoat
TURN-koht
/ˈtɜːrnkoʊt/
A person who deserts one party or cause in order to join an opposing one.
Carries a strong negative connotation of opportunism—changing sides purely for personal survival or gain.
The story behind the word. The term originates from the literal practice of turning one's coat inside out. In times of war, soldiers or citizens would flip their coats to hide their uniform colors or badges of allegiance when entering enemy territory, or to quickly align with the winning side.
Word relationships
- renegade: Renegade emphasizes the rebellion and lawlessness of the defector, while turncoat emphasizes the act of switching sides.
- loyalist: A loyalist remains faithful to their original cause, especially during a revolt or war.
Commonly confused with
- scapegoat: A scapegoat is someone blamed for the mistakes of others, while a turncoat is someone who actively switches sides.
Collocations
- branded a turncoat
- political turncoat
- notorious turncoat
Idioms & expressions
- change colors
- jump ship
Example sentences
- "The rebel commander was branded a turncoat when he accepted a high-ranking position in the dictator's army." A description of a political defector.
Memory hook
Picture a soldier literally turning his blue coat inside out to show a red lining so the enemy army won't shoot him. Flipping a coat to hide your side.
When not to use
Do not use for someone who changes their mind after honest reflection; it must involve switching allegiances to an enemy.
Fun facts
- One famous historical 'turncoat' was Benedict Arnold, who began the American Revolutionary War as a hero for the patriots but later switched sides to the British.
Related words
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