turn the tables

turn the tables
verb
cause a complete reversal of the circumstances (Freq. 1)
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The tables are turned now that the Republicans are in power!

• Syn: ↑turn the tide
• Hypernyms: ↑change by reversal, ↑turn, ↑reverse
• Verb Frames:
-

Something ——s

-

Somebody ——s

* * *

phrasal
Etymology: fr. turn the tables to reverse the relative positions as in a board game
1. : to bring about a reversal of the relative conditions or fortunes of two contending persons or parties
2. : to show that an argument advanced for or against a thesis actually favors the other side

* * *

turn the tables
To bring about a complete reversal of circumstances, from the idea of players at backgammon changing sides
• • •
Main Entry: ↑table
————————
turn the tables see under ↑table
• • •
Main Entry: ↑turn

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I
reverse one's position relative to someone else, esp. by turning a position of disadvantage into one of advantage

police invited householders to a seminar on how to turn the tables on burglars

II
see table

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turn the tables
: to change a situation completely so that you have an advantage over someone who previously had an advantage over you
— often + on

He turned the tables on his attacker and pinned him to the ground.

• • •
Main Entry: ↑table

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Synonyms:
,


Look at other dictionaries:

  • turn the tables on — turn the tables (on (someone/something)) to change a situation so that someone s position is the opposite of what it was. She turned the tables by playing a better game and recently has won most of her matches. Hendricks turned the tables on the… …   New idioms dictionary

  • turn the tables — (on (someone/something)) to change a situation so that someone s position is the opposite of what it was. She turned the tables by playing a better game and recently has won most of her matches. Hendricks turned the tables on the media when he… …   New idioms dictionary

  • turn the tables on — (someone) to change a situation so that you now have an advantage over someone who previously had an advantage over you. She turned the tables on her rival with allegations of corruption …   New idioms dictionary

  • turn the tables — If circumstances change completely, giving an advantage to those who seemed to be losing, the tables are turned …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • turn the tables on — index recriminate Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • turn the tables — ► turn the tables reverse a situation disadvantageous to oneself so that it becomes advantageous. Main Entry: ↑table …   English terms dictionary

  • turn the tables — reverse the situation The opposing team were able to finally turn the tables and won the game. Digest 20/2002 to reverse the situation. The tables have turned means the situation has been reversed. Jane was poor when she started her own business… …   Idioms and examples

  • turn the tables —    If circumstances change completely, giving an advantage to those who seemed to be losing, the tables are turned.   (Dorking School Dictionary)    ***    If you turn the tables on a person or organization, you reverse the situation so as to be… …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • turn the tables on someone — turn the tables (on (someone/something)) to change a situation so that someone s position is the opposite of what it was. She turned the tables by playing a better game and recently has won most of her matches. Hendricks turned the tables on the… …   New idioms dictionary

  • turn the tables on something — turn the tables (on (someone/something)) to change a situation so that someone s position is the opposite of what it was. She turned the tables by playing a better game and recently has won most of her matches. Hendricks turned the tables on the… …   New idioms dictionary

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