ENGLISH
REFERENCE

keel over

idiom
Meaning

To collapse in a faint; to black out, to swoon.

Origin

disputed origin

The original nautical meaning (sense 1) refers to a vessel rolling to the extent that its keel (“a large beam along the underside of the vessel’s hull from bow to stern”) is visible.

Examples
SIMPLE

She almost keeled over in the heat.

CONTEXTUAL

The old man keeled over at the bus stop, and strangers rushed to help him.

COMPLEX

Overwhelmed by the news, she felt the room spin and keeled over into her mother's arms.

Anchors to
Related idioms1entry
  1. 01

    even keel

    Of an emotion or state of mind, the state or characteristic of being under control and balanced.

Last updated April 17, 2026