reversal
change to the opposite
A change that makes something go or be the opposite of what it was before.
a reversal of [something]
- The government’s reversal on tax cuts surprised many voters.
- After weeks of losses, the team enjoyed a welcome reversal in form.
- We’ve seen a complete reversal of attitudes toward working from home.
- The company announced a reversal of its decision to close the factory.
- Meteorologists are predicting a reversal in the current warming trend.
- There was a sudden reversal in the company’s plan.
- We need a reversal of this negative trend.
- The teacher made a reversal of her first decision.
- The story takes a reversal at the end.
- They called his move a reversal of policy.
defeat or serious setback
A defeat or big problem that stops progress or success for a person, group, or plan.
a [major/serious] reversal for [someone/something]
- The loss of key seats in the election was a major reversal for the ruling party.
- The product recall marked a serious reversal in the company’s growth plans.
- Injury to their star player dealt a painful reversal to the team’s title hopes.
- The court’s decision was seen as a sharp reversal for climate activists.
- The campaign has suffered one reversal after another this year.
- The bad news was a major reversal for the project.
- Losing the match was a big reversal for the team.
- The company’s image took a reversal after the scandal.
- This result is a serious reversal for the new mayor.
- They hope to recover from this early reversal.
overturning a court decision
In law, when a higher court says a lower court’s decision was wrong and changes or cancels it.
the reversal of [a decision/ruling/verdict]
- The Supreme Court’s reversal of the earlier ruling sparked nationwide debate.
- Lawyers say the reversal of his conviction came far too late.
- The appeal ended in a complete reversal of the trial court’s decision.
- Civil rights groups welcomed the reversal as a victory for voters.
- This case could lead to a historic reversal of long-standing precedent.
- The reversal of the decision came from a higher court.
- Her lawyer hopes for a reversal of the verdict.
- The appeal ended in a full reversal of the case.
- News of the reversal of his conviction was on TV.
- Many people protested the court’s reversal.
exchange of usual roles
When two people or groups take each other’s normal roles or jobs.
a reversal of roles
- The film is built around a clever reversal of roles between parent and child.
- There’s been a noticeable gender role reversal in many modern households.
- The sketch ends with a humorous reversal of roles, as the students start teaching the professor.
- The reversal of roles on stage helped the audience see the issue from a new angle.
- This kind of role reversal can reveal hidden power dynamics in a relationship.
- The play shows a fun reversal of roles.
- In this story, there is a role reversal between boss and worker.
- We had a reversal of roles: I cooked, and she fixed the car.
- The movie uses a gender role reversal.
- This game is about a complete reversal of roles.
- Base: reversal
- Plural: reversal, reversals
policy reversal
1change or cancellation of a policy
When a government or organization changes a policy to the opposite, or cancels it completely.
- Environmental groups welcomed the policy reversal on offshore drilling.
- The sudden policy reversal left businesses unsure how to plan.
- Analysts say a policy reversal on tariffs is unlikely before the election.
reversal of fortune
1sudden change in luck or situation
A big change in someone’s life or situation, usually from good to bad or from bad to good.
- After a sudden reversal of fortune, he went from millionaire to bankrupt in a single year.
- The book tells the story of a dramatic reversal of fortune for a poor village.
- Winning the lawsuit marked a welcome reversal of fortune for the small business.
role reversal
1two sides swap usual roles
A situation where two people or groups take each other’s usual roles or jobs.
- There’s an interesting role reversal in this episode, with the children acting like parents.
- The comedy depends on a role reversal between the strict teacher and her relaxed student.
- Many couples experience a role reversal when one partner loses their job.
suffer a reversal
1experience a defeat or setback
To have a defeat or serious problem that stops or hurts your progress or success.
- The campaign suffered a major reversal after the debate.
- Several tech firms suffered a reversal in profits last quarter.
- The team suffered a painful reversal in the final minutes of the game.
trend reversal
1change in direction of a trend
When a line or pattern in data, especially prices or sales, stops going one way and starts going the other way.
- Investors are watching closely for any sign of a trend reversal in the housing market.
- The sudden trend reversal caught many traders by surprise.
- Analysts say this may be a short pause rather than a true trend reversal.