ENGLISH
REFERENCE

coil up

idiom
Meaning

to make, or become, coiled


Examples
SIMPLE

The snake will coil up to sleep in the sun.

CONTEXTUAL

When the cat feels cold, it likes to coil up on the soft rug by the fireplace.

COMPLEX

The frightened animal began to coil up into a tight ball, shielding its vulnerable underside from the predator circling above.

Anchors to
Related idioms1entry
  1. 01

    shuffle off this mortal coil

    To die; to divest oneself of one's mortal body.

© 2026 English Reference