he turned tail and broke like a rogue beast
that’s done some serious damage, mauled a dog to death
or a herdsman tending flocks, and takes to his heels
before the gangs of men can group and go against him.
So Antilochus turned and ran.
– Homer
The Iliad, Book 15, lines 679-683. Antilochus cannot hold his ground against Hector, so he turns tail and runs from the Trojan warrior. An epic simile likens his flight to a rogue beast that flees after mauling a dog to death or attacking a herdsman tending flocks.