Talk:turn the tables

Please clarify to what point in time “now” points

The current article text contains:

”Turning the tables on a person means that the person is now at a disadvantage.”

This text suggests that the “person” is at a disadvantage at the point in time when the turning of the tables begins.

Does “now” mean:

• immediately before the turning

or:

• immediately after the turning?

Would a clearer text be:

”Turning the tables on a person means that the person is at a disadvantage afterwards.”Redav (talk) 07:47, 5 August 2023 (UTC)

You are correct in pointing out the problem. I took a run at rewording the usage note. I think that now is often a poor word to use in a definition or a usage note that is in the nature of an expanded definition. DCDuring (talk) 14:15, 5 August 2023 (UTC)

Now ;-) the explanation is clear to me. Thanks!Redav (talk) 15:31, 5 August 2023 (UTC)