change places

change places

To switch to the spot, role, or position that another person currently is in. I want to talk to the people at the other end of the table. Would you mind changing places? Many people say that they would gladly change places with a celebrity, but I doubt they would enjoy the constant attention.
See also: change, place
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

change/swap ˈplaces (with somebody)

(of two people, groups, etc.) exchange seats, positions, situations, etc: The Smiths can afford to go away a lot because they haven’t got a family to bring up. But I wouldn’t want to change places with them. Can you see the whiteboard where you are, or would you like to swap places?
See also: change, place, swap
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • change/swap places
  • trade places
  • change places with
  • change places with (one)
  • table-hop
  • switch on
  • switched on
  • switch off
  • kiddie table
  • bring (something) to the table
References in periodicals archive
I cannot imagine anyone ever wanting to change places with her.
Sick of moans about monarch; Views of the North
This change places Clinical Chemistry in the top 3% of all published journals; the immediacy index is 1.769, placing it in the top 2.5% of all journals.
2010 clinical chemistry impact factor
They will change places again if the Worksop golfer takes the title on Sunday and a finish in the top five could be good enough depending on where Donald comes.
Life at the top; Sport briefs
No doubt the cynics will cry out that we would all change places with Mr Rooney and the record lotto winner.
Topsy-turvy world; YourSay
Eddie Murphy and Dan Ackroyd star in the hilarious movie which sees a street-smart hustler change places with a city slicker with hilarious consequences.
Staying in: OUT ON DVD
And, much more to the point, West realise that their relegation rivals Darlington have two relatively easy matches to come which could well enable them to change places.
Rugby Union: Fight for league survival
IFYOU COULD CHANGE PLACES WITH ANYONE FOR A DAY, WHO WOULD IT BE?
3pm: TALKING TURKEY
* Have them discuss how they would react if they had to change places with Anupam for a year.
Desperate to make the grade: in one of India's poorest regions, a driven 17-year-old dreams of someday working at NASA
OVER the past few weeks I've been inundated with letters from bands looking for musicians and musicians looking for bands as players change places more often than couples as swingers parties.
Music: Someone t play with
I wouldn't want to change places with the Beckhams despite all their money and my modest income.
I'd never swap for Becks' life; pounds 100 LETTER
"Someone from a wealthy family will change places for 10 days with a girl from a poor background," said director, Merryn Threadgould.
Lifestyle swap
That figure and ground in his paintings often shift and change places and that the face of the canvas itself can seem so hauntingly fugitive are qualities as significant as any in lending these eroded abstractions their mute force.
Raoul De Keyser: David Zwirner
Lots of pensioners would love to change places with offenders.
Your Views: Jail heaven
MARIAH CAREY; Q If you could change places with anybody for 24 hours, who would it be and why?
Football: Up close personal WITH CARLO CUDICINI