re‧verse 1 W3 AC / rɪvɜs $ -ɜrs / 动词

1 opposite [及物动词] to change something, such as a decision, judgment, or process so that it is the opposite of what it was before

reverse a decision/verdict/policy etc

The decision was reversed on appeal.

reverse a trend/process/decline etc

More changes are required to reverse the trend towards centralised power.

2 car [不及物和及物动词] especially British English if a vehicle or its driver reverses, they go backwards 同义词 back up American English

reverse out of/into etc

Bob reversed into a parking space.

reverse something into/out of something

I reversed the car into a side road.

3 change position/purpose [及物动词] to change around the usual order of the parts of something, or the usual things two people do 同义词 swap

reverse roles/positions

Our roles as child and guardian had now been reversed.

4 turn something over [及物动词] to turn something over or around, in order to show the back of it :

Reverse the paper in the printer.

5 reverse yourself American English to change your opinion or position in an argument :

Suddenly, he reversed himself completely.

6 reverse the charges British English to make a telephone call which is paid for by the person you are telephoning 同义词 call collect American English

COLLOCATIONS

名词

reverse a decision/ruling The Supreme Court reversed the decision.

reverse your position (= change your opinion or attitude ) He spoke in favor of the bill, reversing his previous position.

reverse a policy She is pressing the government to reverse its policy.

reverse a trend Immigration has increased sharply and reversing this trend will be extremely difficult.

reverse a decline His policies had reversed the decline in the economy.

reverse a process We cannot reverse the ageing process.

reverse the effects of something Hair conditioner can’t reverse the damaging effects of colouring and perming.