1
general::
Phrase(s): turn the tables (on someone)
Fig. to cause a reversal in someone’s plans; to make one’s plans turn back on one. • I went to Jane’s house to help get ready for a surprise party for Bob. It turned out that the surprise party was for me! Jane really turned the tables on me! • Turning the tables like that requires a lot of planning and a lot of secrecy.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
Reverse a situation and gain the upper hand, as in Steffi won their previous three matches but today Mary turned the tables and prevailed. This expression alludes to the former practice of reversing the table or board in games such as chess, thereby switching the opponents' positions. [c. 1600]
American Heritage Idioms