The origin of the idiom "turn the tables" can be traced to board games like backgammon or card games where a player can literally turn the game board or table to their advantage. Over time, the phrase became metaphorical, signifying a change in power, control, or fortune.

What is the origin of the idiom "turn the tables" and when to use it?

to [turn] the tables

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gdHVybiB0aGUgdGFibGVz&hash=3cbcd1fd6e1cc35cc0c3e1ec10efe0e00e631b71&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

two strings to {one's} bow

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dHdvIHN0cmluZ3MgdG8gb25lJ3MgYm93&hash=2ed59eb81bfbc7abe13a1a4d9a2f4daaab90ec28&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to woolgather

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gd29vbGdhdGhlcg&hash=96ec1e520750effa6f3765061919e69d60131b6e&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

woolgathering

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=d29vbGdhdGhlcmluZw&hash=4120282aae620a159e8ffe4c27420979a757b9b1&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

pensive

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=cGVuc2l2ZQ&hash=db53d57b2d05cefaee1d02fc71a28f99a820530d&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

portent

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=cG9ydGVudA&hash=004557c36a43ef197ec126235fb0e04589c3eb1f&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to presage

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gcHJlc2FnZQ&hash=4dd768fee249671f7ce8333ec76cb9b651720edb&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to bode

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gYm9kZQ&hash=211a69f7a80be5c60869221849a917fe79b90468&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

augury

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=YXVndXJ5&hash=760d421ed4198c7c4ca0322b7ec0647d5009488b&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

writing on the wall

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=d3JpdGluZyBvbiB0aGUgd2FsbA&hash=926438a7b06509af611d73a5f03f839c3712c12d&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

on the qui vive

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=b24gdGhlIHF1aSB2aXZl&hash=cf5675e5201b4df24efc9b2071e36ec32d613559&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

leery

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=bGVlcnk&hash=937f87678f29d5a9069d9e5227973775d14a0b4b&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

chary

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=Y2hhcnk&hash=d74f55e65aac04a3ed01008430f359ed23b40fa0&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to appraise

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gYXBwcmFpc2U&hash=a9b2317f75a8c742fd9471fc6718bc4d6aa74297&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to ascertain

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gYXNjZXJ0YWlu&hash=44ae2abdaea1543f9213e71cc9b6993c77767954&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

The phrase "castle in the air" is an idiom that refers to a daydream or a fanciful and impractical idea or plan that is unlikely to be realized. The expression likely originated from the idea that castles, traditionally built on solid ground, cannot exist in the air or the sky, emphasizing the unrealistic nature of the described situation or aspiration.

What is the origin of the idiom "castle in the air" and when to use it?

castle in the (air|sky)

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=Y2FzdGxlIGluIHRoZSBhaXI&hash=3ad04dd00145fbf476201c0d62ea90a264e26b1c&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

volition

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dm9saXRpb24&hash=3103a374ccb6b6633da906f502ceb49b8d7af39b&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

gingerly

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=Z2luZ2VybHk&hash=a8b5d117c9087178d2695e6cca2620913d8cfed7&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

intently

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=aW50ZW50bHk&hash=13cff9c32a14cc0f57fa707ec0be32b26e6b181a&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

vigil

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dmlnaWw&hash=3ff20e1b5f8fcb499a24690a07f61b688e4900ff&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

Caution, Judgment & Awareness