TO TURN THE TABLES, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To reverse matters (B. E.).

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  1692.  SIR R. L’ESTRANGE, Fables, 326. They that are Honest upon these Terms would be Arrant Knaves if the TABLES WERE TURN’D.

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  1694.  CONGREVE, The Double Dealer, iv. 13. I have an after-game to play that shall TURN THE TABLES.

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  1692.  DRYDEN, Cleomenes, ‘The Epistle Dedicatory.’ If it be thus, my lord, the TABLE would BE TURNED upon me; but I should only fail in my vain attempt.

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  1809.  MALKIN, Gil Blas [ROUTLEDGE], 217. The gang upon whom we TURNED THE TABLES were people of very bad character.

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  1885.  Daily News, 28 Sept. The west countrymen being victorious, but the TABLES WERE TURNED in three following years.

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