26984 words

reverses

27 definitions • 38 examples
1
to change the direction, order, position, result, etc. of something to its opposite:

Examples:

The new manager hoped to reverse the decline in the company's fortunes.
Now that you have a job and I don't, our situations are reversed.
2

Examples:

reverse into He reversed into a lamppost and damaged the back of the car.
She reversed the car into the parking space.
3
to make a phone call that is paid for by the person receiving it:

Examples:

I'd like to place a call, please, and reverse the charges.
4
the opposite of what has been suggested:

Examples:

You might think that people who don't worry about their diet are fatter and more unhealthy; in fact, the reverse is true.
5
the back of a coin, medal, etc.:

Examples:

The coin has a royal coat of arms on the reverse.
6
in the opposite order or way:

Examples:

To stop the engine, you repeat the same procedures, but in reverse (order).
7
the method of controlling a vehicle that makes it go backwards :

Examples:

put something in/into reverse To go backwards, you must put the car in/into reverse (gear).
9
in American football, an occasion when a player who is running in one direction gives the ball to a player who is running in the other direction:

Examples:

He handed the ball to Jackson on a reverse for a gain of nine yards.
10
opposite to what has just happened, or to what is usual or expected:

Examples:

Repeat the steps in reverse order to shut the system off.
The intervention was designed to help, but it had the reverse effect.
11
towards the direction that is opposite to the one you are facing:

Examples:

The diver then does three and a half reverse somersaults in the air before plunging head first into the water.
12
the back of something:

Examples:

On the reverse side of the coin will be a portrait of the Queen.
13
to cause something to go in the opposite direction, order, or position:

Examples:

[ T ] The group is trying to reverse the trend toward developing the wetlands.
14

Examples:

[ U ] A car came down the street in reverse.
15
A reverse is also a defeat or failure:

Examples:

[ C ] He suffered a series of financial reverses in the 1980s.
16
to change a decision, plan, etc. so that it becomes the opposite of what it was before:

Examples:

Management have reversed their decision on the matter.
17
to stop things happening, or to stop happening, in a particular way:

Examples:

reverse a process/trend We have to do something to reverse the trend of people moving away to seek work.
The struggling retailer has slashed prices in an attempt to reverse the decline in sales.
The trend is expected to reverse next year.
18
to start to behave or to do things in a way that is the opposite of what happened before:

Examples:

The upward trend in prices may soon reverse course.
19
to change a legal decision in a court of law:

Examples:

The court of appeal reversed the verdict in June.
20
to make a phone call that is paid for by the person who receives it:

Examples:

Call me from the airport and reverse the charges.
21
a problem or failure that makes it more difficult for a person or organization to be successful:

Examples:

22
the opposite of something:

Examples:

The director assured us the company was doing well, but it turned out that the reverse was true.
the reverse of sth Her approach to marketing is the reverse of what we have done so far.
23
the other side of a piece of paper, etc.:

Examples:

Write your account details on the reverse of the cheque.
24
if something relating to finance goes into reverse, it starts to lose value:

Examples:

The shares were in reverse for a long time.
If we don't get any sales growth, profits will go into reverse.
25
the opposite of what has just been mentioned:

Examples:

26
going in the opposite direction from what usually happens or what has happened before :

Examples:

27
used to describe the other side of a piece of paper, etc.:

Examples:

She made a note on the reverse side of the last page.

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