turn into a pumpkin
To go to bed; to go to sleep (especially at, or around midnight).
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“I turn into a pumpkin at midnight.”
“She always turns into a pumpkin early, so we never stay out late.”
“As the clock struck twelve, the weary hostess apologized and turned into a pumpkin, leaving the guests to fend for themselves.”
The expression derives from the fairy tale of Cinderella, in which a coach created by magic reverts to its original form as a pumpkin at the stroke of midnight. The transition marks the point at which an evening's temporary social elevation concludes and the mundane reality of the household reappears.
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Buggins's turn
A humorous, disparaging term for the appointment of a person by rotation or promotion, on the basis of length of service (it being that person's "turn") rather than merit or level of qualification.
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everything one touches turns to gold
Everything someone uses or does succeeds or becomes better.
- 03
everything one touches turns to shit
Everything someone uses or does fails or becomes worse.
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good turn
A good deed; a thoughtful or selfless act.
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left turn
An unexpected change from the way things seemed to be going.
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poacher turned gamekeeper
A person now charged with protecting what they formerly preyed upon.
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pumpkin head
A severe head injury resulting from a beating.
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serve the turn
To suffice for one's immediate purpose or need.
Last updated August 10, 2026