turned the tables
Flipped the advantage
Turned the tables means reversed the situation, especially shifting advantage from one party to another.
The image is of a board game rotated so that each player now faces the other's position: After trailing all season, they turned the tables in the playoffs.
Often used when an underdog gains the upper hand or when someone uses another's tactics against them.
- flippedReversed position suddenly
- switchedChanged between two options
- invertedTurned opposite way
- reversedFlipped to opposite orientation
- outmaneuverDefeat through superior tactics
beat them at their own game · role reversal · retaliated · change the game · turnaround · came from behind · flip the script · counterattack · upset the apple cart · one-upped · comeback · overthrow · flip-flop · reformed · pivot · rise from the ashes · last laugh · pull a fast one
turned the tablessurrendered
Ceased resistance formally
gave up · capitulated · gave in · conceded · threw in the towel
turn, turned, turning, turns, turner, turnable, overturn, upturn, downturn