turn the tide

turn the tide

To change or reverse something dramatically. Wow, they really turned the tide on their opponents by scoring 20 unanswered points! The votes in the swing state may turn the tide in this election.

See also: tide, turn

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

turn the tide

Fig. to cause a reversal in the direction of events; to cause a reversal in public opinion. It looked as if the team were going to lose, but near the end of the game, our star player turned the tide. At first, people were opposed to our plan. After a lot of discussion, we were able to turn the tide.

See also: tide, turn

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.