turn the tables on someone Definition

table
noun

1. A piece of furniture consisting of a flat horizontal surface supported by one or more legs.
2. The people sitting at a table.
3. The food served at a particular table or in a particular house.

Example: keeps a good table
4. A group of words or figures, etc arranged systematically in columns and rows.

Thesaurus: chart, graph, schedule, synopsis, report, record, register, index, appendix, table of contents.
5. A multiplication table.

Example: learn your tables
6. Any flat level surface.

Thesaurus: board, counter.
7. historical
A slab of stone or wood inscribed with laws.
8. A tableland.
9. A broad flat surface cut on a gem.

verb tabled, tabling

(Brit)
1. To put something forward for discussion.
(N Amer)
2. To postpone discussion of (a bill, etc) indefinitely.
3. To make or enter something into a table; to tabulate.

Idiom: at table

Having a meal.

Idiom: drink someone under the table

See under drink.

Idiom: on the table

Under discussion.

Idiom: turn the tables on someone

To reverse a situation so that they are at a disadvantage where previously they had an advantage.

Idiom: under the table

Secretly; in a clandestine way.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon tabule: from Latin tabula board or tablet.