turn the tables

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

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Example Sentences

“Why would you eat me out in broad daylight?” she spits at Isaac shortly after he turns the tables on their weekend.

From Salon

But Sinner survived and turned the tables on Shelton in the very next game.

From BBC

Ukrainian troops had turned the tables with a cross-border attack on Russia, capturing territory in the neighbouring region of Kursk.

From BBC

The situation worsens when LLIAM, appalled by how its work has been misused, turns the tables by revealing users’ sins and transgressions in a series of letters sent to victims that begin: “We must confess.”

From Los Angeles Times

This year, the Australian has turned the tables.

From BBC

Related Words

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