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turn the tables

IdiomLevel B2

To reverse a situation so the other side is now in the weaker or stronger position.

She was losing the game, but she turned the tables in the last round.

'Turn the tables' means to reverse a situation. Nobody needs to move any furniture.

Comic strip. Mei: Diego always beats me at chess. Always! Mei: Today I'll turn the tables. Literally! Diego: My queen! Why is the floor full of chess pieces? Steventeacher: 'Turn the tables' means reversing a situation. No furniture needed! Mei: Checkmate! I finally turned the tables on you, Diego.
Steventeacher explains “turn the tables”.
Your turn
Have you ever turned the tables on a friend? How?

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The ins and outs are all the small details of how something works.

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To give someone new information regularly as a situation changes.