phrasal verb · neutral
turn the tables
UK/tɜːn ðə ˈteɪbəlz/US/tɜrn ðə ˈteɪbəlz/tur·n the TA·bles
reverse a situation so that you gain an advantage instead of the other person
Examples
“She managed to turn the tables on her critics by presenting new evidence.”
“The final question turned the tables and the underdog won the debate.”
“In business, a clever strategy can turn the tables on a dominant competitor.”
Band 8 sentence
“By revealing new data at the hearing, the whistle‑blower turned the tables on the company and shifted public opinion.”
Collocations
- turn the tables on someone
- turn the tables + with a clever move
Word family
Common mistakes
turn the table→turn the tables
Say it for a higher band
5reverse the situation→6get the upper hand→7+turn the tables
Synonyms
reverse the situation
get the upper hand
Easily confused
turn the tables on someone
“With one clever question she turned the tables on her opponent.”
Related words
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