Do they mean the same?

Question

If tables were turned,If the roles were reversed,

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

htrek
If tables were turned,
If the roles were reversed,

Relatively speaking, yes, they mean the same thing.

Another phrase " If the shoe is on the other foot" has the same meaning.

Doctor D · Answer

Not quite. "Jack turned the tables on his opponent" suggests that his opponent had command of the situation but now Jack does. So we are usually talking about a situation that begins with one person having power, then losing that power to another.

"If their roles were reversed" means that, yes, both parties have traded positions. But that does not mean that either one was in command b

"If their roles were reversed" means that, yes, both parties have traded positions. But that does not mean that either one was in command before. They could have being doing equal but different things. He likes going to movies but she likes visiting nightclubs. What would be different if their roles were reversed?

I hope this helps.

Do they mean the same?

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions