turn the tables

Cultural  

1. To reverse a situation and gain the upper hand: “After trailing the entire first quarter, the team rallied and finally turned the tables.”

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turn the tables Idioms  

1. Reverse a situation and gain the upper hand, as in Steffi won their previous three matches but today Mary turned the tables and prevailed. This expression alludes to the former practice of reversing the table or board in games such as chess, thereby switching the opponents' positions. [c. 1600]

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Example Sentences

Smiling, Bad Bunny responded, "Maybe a little bit", then tried to turn the tables by asking Noah about his decision to step down as Grammys host next year.

From BBC

Undeterred, activists in Minneapolis have sought to turn the tables by creating "Defrost MN," a searchable database of ICE vehicles active in the city.

From Barron's

But in the third act, Seyfried turns the tables and goes for something smarter, something more extraordinary.

From Salon

So what more can Europe do to try to turn the tables?

From Barron's

The Cleveland Cavaliers, who fell 140-138 to Miami in an overtime heartbreaker on Monday, rallied to turn the tables with a 130-116 triumph over the Heat.

From Barron's

Related Words

• alter
• annul
• dismantle
• invalidate
• lift
• modify
• nullify
• overrule
• overturn
• quash
• repeal
• rescind
• revoke
• set aside
• undo