turn in one's grave

• roll in one's grave, roll over in one's grave, spin in one's grave, turn over in one's grave (US)

Documented in English since 1801, perhaps from Jewish rabbinic tradition that the bones of Judah rolled about in his coffin for his shame during the Exodus

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turn in one's grave (third-person singular simple present turns in one's grave, present participle turning in one's grave, simple past and past participle turned in one's grave)

1. (idiomatic) To be appalled, offended or disgusted by something, despite being deceased.

   Beethoven is probably turning in his grave at the way that rock group mangled his Ninth Symphony.

   The new scientific discovery about the gravitation particle could make Isaac Newton turn in his grave.

   • 1937, Rodgers and Hart (lyrics and music), “Johnny One Note”:

     Brought forth wind that made critics rave / While Verdi turned round in his grave

   • 1989, The The (lyrics and music), “Armageddon Days Are Here (Again)”, in Mind Bomb:

     If he ever finds out who's hijacked his name / He'll cut out his heart and turn in his grave

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see turn,‎ in,‎ one's,‎ grave.