do the opposite

USAGE SUMMARY

"do the opposite" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to suggest the opposite of something someone has done or suggested. For example, "We could try getting up earlier, or perhaps we should do the opposite and sleep in."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Now do the opposite".

The New Yorker

Hedgehogs do the opposite.

The Economist

Normal runners do the opposite.

The New York Times - Sports

Miners sometimes do the opposite.

The Economist

It could do the opposite.

The Economist

Actually, they do the opposite.

The Economist

Let's do the opposite.

The New York Times

Liabilities do the opposite.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Purposeful managers do the opposite.

Harvard Business Review

This would do the opposite".

The Guardian

And then do the opposite".

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advising someone to "do the opposite", ensure the context is clear. The person needs to understand what action or direction is being inverted.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating what should be avoided or reversed. For example, instead of saying just "do the opposite", clarify with "if they go left, you go right."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do the opposite" functions as an imperative, urging someone to perform an action that reverses a previous action or suggestion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in English to suggest the contrary of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

29%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

10%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "do the opposite" is a versatile and frequently used expression, primarily functioning as an imperative. It effectively conveys the need to reverse a previous action or suggestion. As Ludwig AI indicates, its grammatical status is correct and widely accepted. Predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki sources, it maintains a neutral to informal tone. When using "do the opposite", ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity, and consider more formal alternatives like "take the contrary action" in professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go the other way

Indicates choosing an alternative direction or approach.

take the contrary action

Emphasizes the action of doing something contrary to what was initially done or suggested.

choose the alternative route

Suggests selecting a different path or course of action.

reverse course

Suggests a change in direction or strategy to the opposite of what it was.

pursue an opposing strategy

Focuses on following a plan that is in opposition to the current one.

act in reverse

Focuses on the manner in which something is done, specifically in a reversed order or method.

invert the process

Specifies reversing the steps or stages of a process.

adopt a conflicting approach

Implies intentionally choosing a method or strategy that opposes the current one.

counteract the effect

Emphasizes negating the result or impact of a previous action.

implement the antithesis

Highlights the use of an opposing concept or idea.

FAQs

How can I use "do the opposite" in a sentence?

You can use "do the opposite" when you want to suggest an action that is completely reversed from what was previously mentioned. For example, "If they increase prices, we should "do the opposite" and decrease ours".

What's a more formal way to say "do the opposite"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "take the contrary action" or "implement the antithesis" to convey a similar meaning with a higher degree of formality.

Which is correct: "do the opposite" or "does the opposite"?

"Do the opposite" is correct when you're giving a command or suggestion in the imperative mood. "Does the opposite" is correct when describing what something performs as an action. For example, "This action "does the opposite" of what was intended".

What can I say instead of "do the opposite" in a negotiation?

In a negotiation, you might say "take a counter approach" or "adopt an opposing strategy" to express a contrasting position diplomatically.