revert
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revert to
1. To return to a prior condition, state, behavior, or practice. The entire city had reverted to candlelight after the power outage continued for its fifth straight day. The intense trauma has caused the victim to revert to a fragile, childlike state.
2. To become or return to the possession of the legal proprietor. The land will revert to the banks if we aren't able to keep up with the mortgage payments. As stipulated in his will, Montgomery's estate reverts to his eldest son.
revert to type
To return to usual behavior or form after a temporary change, typically an improvement. Jenny has been very gracious since she joined our department, but I'm afraid she may revert to type once the newness wears off. The administration had made strides in transparency, but with how evasive it's been on this latest issue, it looks like it is reverting to type.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
revert to someone or something
1. to return to some type of person or a former state. After he was out of prison, he reverted to a life of crime. She quickly reverted to her childhood dialect after a few weeks at home.
2. to become the property of someone, a group, or an institution. At the end of ten years, this house and the land it sits on reverts to the youngest living child. Then the property reverts to the state.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
revert to ˈtype
(formal) return to the way you would expect somebody to behave when you remember their family, sex, work, history, etc: The team had two very unexpected wins, but have now reverted to type and lost the last two games.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
revert to
v.
1. To return to some former condition, practice, subject, or belief: When the computerized accounting system failed, we reverted to using paper spreadsheets.
2. To return to some former owner or the heirs of the former owner. Used of money or property: At the end of 100 years, all privately held land in the park will revert to the government.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.