1. The thief had turned tail before the police arrived.
    警察到来之前小偷就逃跑了。

1. 逃跑：turn sb loose 放松;放任 | turn tail 逃跑 | turn the tables 扭转局势

2. 避免麻烦或者困难：270. wear the pants 当家作主 | 271. turn tail 避免麻烦或者困难 | 272. turn one's head 被某种好运冲昏了头脑

3. turn tail的解释

3. 逃跑者;开小差的人;胆小鬼：the tail wags the dog主次颠倒 喧宾夺主 | turn tail 逃跑者;开小差的人;胆小鬼 | 9 do a double take心不在焉后突然注意而恍然大悟; 双重身份

4. 掉头就跑：[44]try out for 参加选拔 | [45]turn tail 掉头就跑 | [46]don't twist his tail,he is a bit on edge 别惹她,他正烦着呢

1. flee
    take to one''s heels
    cut and run

    e.g. If you see this man, run!
           The burglars escaped before the police showed up

    Synonym: scatrunscarperlamrun awayhightail itbunkhead for the hillstake to the woodsescapefly the coopbreak away