An everyday phrase covering both the change in water level at high or low water and the change in current direction at slack, which in many places happen at different times. Mariners and fishermen use it to time departures, anchoring and casting, and anchored boats swing at the turn. Precise people specify which turn they mean, since in estuaries the current may keep running for an hour after the level turns.
Wait for the turn of the tide before you lift the anchor, she'll swing right round on the ebb.
Also heard as
- the turn
- tide turning
- change of tide
Related terms
Slack water
The short lull when a reversing current almost stops while it swaps between flood and ebb.
Stand
The pause at the top or bottom of the tide, when the level hangs nearly still before turning.
Tide-rode
Describes an anchored vessel lying head to the tidal current rather than to the wind.
Making
Said of a tide that is rising, or of the fortnightly cycle building from neaps toward springs.