turn queen's evidence

English

Verb

turn queen's evidence (third-person singular simple present turns queen's evidence, present participle turning queen's evidence, simple past and past participle turned queen's evidence)

1. (British, law) Of a person accused of a crime, to give evidence against one's accomplices in the hope of receiving a lighter punishment. Used when the monarch is female.

   Coordinate term: (when the monarch is male) turn king's evidence

See also

• turn state's evidence