翻身 fānshēn to turn over (when lying)
to turn over (when lying); (figuratively) to free oneself; to emancipate oneself; to bring about a change of one's fortunes
How to remember 翻身: 翻 turn over + 身 body = to turn over (when lying).
Characters
How it is used
- Literally to roll over when lying down - 翻个身 (fān gè shēn) to turn over.
- Strongly figurative: to reverse one's fortunes / rise from oppression - 打个翻身仗 (dǎ gè fānshēn zhàng) to turn things around; 咸鱼翻身 (xiányú fānshēn) an underdog's comeback.
- The 'change of fortune' sense is common and vivid in everyday speech.