The tables have turned
Meaning
The circumstances of a situation have completely reversed, especially concerning power or advantage.
Origin
Imagine a smoky 18th-century tavern, the clatter of dice on a wooden board. Two players, locked in a tense game of backgammon or draughts, their fortunes ebbing and flowing with each move. One player, perhaps on the brink of defeat, suddenly rolls the perfect sequence, shifting the entire dynamic. In that moment, it was as if the very "tables had turned"—not necessarily the physical board itself, but the entire momentum and advantage of the game. This vivid image of a dramatic reversal of luck or power on the gaming table perfectly captured the essence of a situation where the previously dominant party suddenly finds themselves at a disadvantage, leaving their opponents to revel in their newfound upper hand.
Examples
- After years of struggling, the small startup finally secured a major contract, and now the tables have turned against their former Goliath competitor.
- For a long time, she was always asking him for favors, but now he needs her help, so the tables have definitely turned.