turn the tide
To undergo a change or reversal of a general trend.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“A late goal helped the team turn the tide.”
“The new manager introduced several bold strategies that helped turn the tide for the struggling company.”
“With the arrival of reinforcements at the eleventh hour, the exhausted army finally managed to turn the tide of the long-standing conflict.”
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Buggins's turn
A humorous, disparaging term for the appointment of a person by rotation or promotion, on the basis of length of service (it being that person's "turn") rather than merit or level of qualification.
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everything one touches turns to gold
Everything someone uses or does succeeds or becomes better.
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everything one touches turns to shit
Everything someone uses or does fails or becomes worse.
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good turn
A good deed; a thoughtful or selfless act.
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left turn
An unexpected change from the way things seemed to be going.
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poacher turned gamekeeper
A person now charged with protecting what they formerly preyed upon.
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serve the turn
To suffice for one's immediate purpose or need.
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star turn
An acting performance which causes the performer to become renowned.
Last updated August 10, 2026