ちゃぶ台(だい)返(がえ)し

ちゃぶだいがえし
noun
flipping the table; sudden dramatic reversal
informalcolloquialidiom
1. flipping the table; sudden dramatic reversal
Literally overturning a low dining table (ちゃぶ台(だい)) in a fit of rage; figuratively, abruptly overturning a plan or decision that was nearly settled, throwing everything into disorder.
社長(しゃちょう)のちゃぶ台(だい)返(がえ)しで計画(けいかく)が白紙(はくし)になった。
The president's about-face scrapped the whole plan.
完成(かんせい)間近(まぢか)での仕様(しよう)変更(へんこう)は、まさにちゃぶ台(だい)返(がえ)しだ。
A spec change just before completion is a textbook table-flip.
父(ちち)が怒(おこ)ってちゃぶ台(だい)返(がえ)しをするのは昔(むかし)の漫画(まんが)の定番(ていばん)だった。
A father flipping the dinner table in anger was a staple of old manga.

From the image of an angry household head overturning the ちゃぶ台(だい) (low dining table). Now mostly figurative: scrapping a near-finished plan or agreement at the last moment.

Common collocations

  • ちゃぶ台(だい)返(がえ)しをする: to overturn (a plan); to flip the table
  • 大(おお)ちゃぶ台(だい)返(がえ)し: a massive last-minute reversal

Usage

Colloquial, with a vivid and slightly humorous tone.

general
Added 2026.6.22 10:45 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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