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to turn the tide

to turn the tide

15 4.2
Cause a big change that makes things much better
  • idiom
translation icon : cambiar el rumbo
  • The new evidence presented in court could turn the tide of the trial in his favor.
  • help turn the tide

And the moment that I went all in, I was able to, you know, sort of turn the tide on on my career and and I hit the upswing.

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Examples

  • Let's take a look at the general who, in a few short months, has turned the tide towards victory.

  • After an all-out mobilization, the U.S. engagement helped turn the tide, leading the Allied Forces to victory within three and a half years.

    Academic text (2003)
  • And now all those forces are going to help turn the tide of this battle in the center.

  • That if he can break their lines now, he will turn the tide.

  • So what can he say that will turn the tide back in his direction?

    Blog text (2)
  • Who can stop the loss and turn the tide?

    Fiction book (1998)
  • My family is now listening, but they are not enough to turn the tide.

    Blog text (4)
  • Twitter is by far the best resource we have available to us for turning the tide of this election.

    Blog text (33)
  • It might be the means of turning the tide of the war in this area.

  • Now, after three decades of research, ARS scientists hope to turn the tide on the fungal takeover in the Northwest.

    Academic text (1995)

Synonyms

to turn the tables
vsto turn the tide
20 3.9

To change a situation so you get the advantage over someone who had it before

describes a general major reversal not limited to gaining advantage
to turn on one's head
vsto turn the tide
  • Informal
1 7.1

Completely change what people think about something

focuses on a reversal of outcome rather than a radical rethinking
to shift the dial
vsto turn the tide
7.2

To make a clear change in a situation or result

focuses on full reversal of direction rather than just noticeable change

Antonyms

344 3.7

To become less over time, for example in value or health

How Dramatic

to transform
523 3.4
to turn the tide
15 4.2
to adjust
317 2.7

Surface Forms

turn the tide infinitive
turned the tide past participle
turning the tide present participle
turns the tide third person singular

Morphology

turn + the + tide

The verb 'turn' (to change) combined with 'tide' (a movement or trend) creates a clear metaphor of reversing a prevailing movement, so the core meaning 'cause a major reversal' is motivated by the literal image. However, the mapping from a physical tidal change to an abstract shift in circumstances is metaphorical and may not be fully predictable for all learners without exposure, making it only partially transparent.

Etymology

The idiom turn the tide comes from the sea: when the tide actually turns, the water moves the other way and can change what happens to ships. So, to turn the tide means 'to cause a major change' and make a bad situation better (or the opposite).