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.

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.
See also:
  • turn the tables on (one)
  • (you) coulda fooled me
  • (you) could have fooled me
  • bear a resemblance to
  • bear a resemblance to (someone or something)
  • be (really) something
  • above and beyond the call of duty
  • be well away
  • be in ruins
  • (something) is you
References in periodicals archive
"This is the year in which we will turn the tide of corruption in our public institutions," he said, while attacking the "plunder of public resources" by South African politicians and business people.
But it's going to take more than this to turn the tide. Loving the sinner could do it.
But Filan made a fabulous save to stop Nobby Solano's spot-kick and turn the tide.
The report, called Obesity ( Can We Turn The Tide? says changes in society and Government policy are urgently needed to reverse the trend.
With millions of our fellow citizens joining the ranks of the morbidly obese, how do we turn the tide of gluttony and lethargy?
In India, however, a group of people involved with Initiatives of Change (IofC) have launched a national campaign to turn the tide against corruption, injustice, poverty and disregard for the environment.
Leaders should move from a short-term emergency-plan approach to a longer term strategy, he says, adding that the money, information and experience needed to turn the tide on Aids all exist at the global level.
GCS does relentless polling and focus-group work to try to turn the tide. Goni, who was raised in the U.S.
The Solstice is part of Bob Lutz's attempts to turn the tide at GM, and it was brought out just 27 months after debuting in 2002 as a concept car.
These optimists speculate that, with the possible election of a Democratic president in a few years, perhaps liberals can turn the tide.
But when a grizzly bear corners the other children and threatens to eat them, Boomer uses his gift to turn the tide and save the day.
Now a U.S.-Chinese partnership aims to turn the tide. In November 2004 the U.S.
Entitled Storms and Floods, Helping to turn the Tide Guide, the 16-page booklet aims to put the problem of flooding into perspective as well as provide advice and information on how to limit the damage that severe weather can cause and what to expect from your insurer.
With the pace of striker David Farrell helping to turn the tide for Boro, Andre Boucaud pulled back a fine low cross for Willock to fire his first before Bath keeper Steve Perrin denied Adam Newton with a fingertip save.