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Saeed Gharaati
How do you interpret the expression "turning table" in the song by Adele?
So I won't let you close enough to hurt me
No, I won't ask you, you to just desert me
I can't give you what you think you gave me
It's time to say goodbye to turning tables, to turning tables
Sep 30, 2014 8:57 AM
Answers · 4
1
"turning tables" means doing the same thing to the other person. For example if someone hurts you, you find a way to turn the tables and hurt them too. The lyric is saying that she is not going to turn the tables, she is not going to retaliate.
September 30, 2014
"To turn the table on someone" means to retaliate.
Historical note: the original meaning of the phrase was completely different.
In the old-fashioned formal dinner parties of years ago (before my time!) it was customary to sit people around the table alternating men and women. In such a situation, every woman could have a conversation with either the man on her right or the man on her left. In order for everyone to have a conversational partner, everyone needed to do the same thing. But for variety, everyone wanted to speak to both neighbors during the meal. So, everyone followed the example set by the hostess. If the hostess began by talking to the gentleman on her right, so would every other lady. The hostess "turned the table" by ending the conservation with the gentleman on her right, then turning to talk to the gentleman on her left. Everyone else at the table did the same thing. Everyone at the table turned.
September 30, 2014
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Saeed Gharaati
Language Skills
English, French, Persian (Farsi)
Learning Language
English, French
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