What is the meaning of the idiom 'to turn the tables'?

Answer 1

If you are sitting around a table and the guy in power, or in charge is sitting in a certain spot, if you were to "turn the table" then the position of power changes to someone new... normally you would use this when you want to take charge of a situation that someone else is currently in charge of... "The Nazi's were winning the war, but the "tables turned" when the United States joined the war" or "It's time to "turn the tables" and get someone to bully the bully!"

Answer 2

The expression may also be "the tables have turned" or "the tables had turned." It means that positions (like seats around a turned table) have changed. This can apply to status, or relative superiority, or dependence. When the tables are turned it means the situation has changed so that someone who previously had a disadvantage now has an advantage.

For example, if a poor person inherits a fortune, the individuals whose help he once sought might now need financial help from him. Thus the tables have turned. He is the recipient of pleas instead of the one making them.

Another would be if a lowly prince were named the ruler of a country. While he might have been scorned by the other powerful people of the country, they now have to defer to him as their superior. Again, the tables had turned.