turn the tide
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb phrase: - To cause a complete reversal of the circumstances or the course of events: This phrase means to change a situation so that an advantage shifts from one side to the other, often from a losing or unfavorable position to a winning or favorable one.
Usage
This phrase is used to describe a significant and decisive change in the progress or outcome of a situation, such as a competition, conflict, or trend. It implies a pivotal moment where fortunes are reversed.
Examples
- Verb phrase:
- The team's star player returned from injury and scored twice, turning the tide of the match.
- The new evidence presented by the defense lawyer turned the tide in the trial.
- A sudden shift in public opinion turned the tide against the proposed policy.
Advanced Usage
- "to turn the tide of battle/war": to reverse the course of a military conflict.
- The arrival of reinforcements turned the tide of battle in their favor.
- "to turn the tide of public opinion": to cause a major shift in what the general public believes or supports.
- The documentary aimed to turn the tide of public opinion on the issue.
Variants and Related Words
- Turn the tables (idiom, verb phrase): To reverse a situation so that a person or group that was at a disadvantage gains an advantage over another.
- After losing the first set, she turned the tables and won the match.
Synonyms
- Reverse the situation: To change the circumstances to the opposite.
- Shift the momentum: To change the driving force or advantage in a progressing situation.
Related Idioms
- A turning point (noun phrase): A time at which a decisive change in a situation occurs.
- The election was a turning point for the country.
- Sea change (noun phrase): A profound or notable transformation.
- The invention sparked a sea change in how we communicate.
Verb
- cause a complete reversal of the circumstances
- The tables are turned now that the Republicans are in power!