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general::
Phrase(s): The worm (has) turned.
Fig. Someone who is usually patient and humble has decided to stop being so. • Jane used to be treated badly by her husband and she just accepted it, but one day she hit him. The worm turned all right. • Tom used to let the other boys bully him on the playground, but one day the worm turned and he’s now leader of their gang.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs