Politically, she tends to 'go against the tide' on her college campus. [=she tends to have different political opinions than most people on her college campus]
He became involved in social issues at the 'high tide' of the civil rights movement. [=at the most active and important time of the civil rights movement]
The team was on a losing streak, but then 'the tide turned' [=their luck changed] and they went on to win the championship.
(..) be cursed by Odin! That's my decision. If he survives the pool, what then? If he's still alive when the tide turns... then any fool who fishes him out can have him. Survives. Odin... send a wind and turn the tide. (..)1958 The Vikings
(..) But the sky is silent. The curse of Odin waits on him... who kills the slave. Then no man shall kill him. Let the tide of the sea do it! Bind him! Cast him into the slop pool at lowtide. Take him out. You'll not kill him... but you throw him (..)1958 The Vikings