go into one's shell

verb

To act defensively.

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Meanings

verbgo into one's shell (third-person singular simple present goes into one's shell, present participle going into one's shell, simple past went into one's shell, past participle gone into one's shell)

present singular third person goes into one's shell · participle present going into one's shell · past went into one's shell · participle past gone into one's shell

  1. idiomaticTo act defensively.

    Instead of gathering the ball, De Gea poked it away with his foot and Streller was able to place a powerful half-volley into the net. United went into their shells and it was not until the 29th minute that they mustered a response - one from which they should have equalised.

    2011 December 7, David Ornstein, “FC Basel 2 - 1 Man Utd”, in BBC Sport

Origin

From turtles, who go into their shells to protect themselves.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

go into one's shell. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/go%20into%20one's%20shell

MLA

“go into one's shell.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/go%20into%20one's%20shell. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “go into one's shell,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/go%20into%20one's%20shell.

Source: go into one's shell on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.