reverse a decision

USAGE SUMMARY

'reverse a decision' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to discuss a situation when someone has decided to change their mind and make the opposite decision. For example: After much thought, the board decided to reverse their previous decision and approve the new policy proposal.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They believe that Gerry Sutcliffe, the Sports Minister, is about to reverse a decision taken only a month ago to refuse to discuss the matter.

The Guardian - Sport

Khan put pressure on the Met to reverse a decision to introduce the hoods earlier this month.

The Guardian

Local officials say the government has long failed to reverse a decision made almost 15 years ago that doomed their town.

The New York Times

Taiwan's political stalemate hardened today as the legislature voted to reverse a decision by President Chen Shui-bian to scrap a partly built nuclear plant.

The New York Times

They called on Yanukovych to resign in the biggest protest yet of a two-week movement to force the president to reverse a decision to halt European integration.

The Guardian

On Monday, Richardson supplied a stack of documents that he hoped would persuade Sugg to reverse a decision to dismiss him.

The New York Times - Sports

EchoStar Communications revised its plan today to buy Hughes Electronics for $26 billion in an effort to persuade regulators to reverse a decision blocking the proposed merger.

The New York Times

In two votes closely watched by city preservationists, a City Council subcommittee and full committee voted yesterday to reverse a decision by the Landmarks Preservation Commission.

The New York Times

Before Advocaat was persuaded to reverse a decision to retire in June Burnley's Dyche had established himself as the frontrunner to take over on Wearside.

The Guardian - Sport

They called on Yanukovych to resign in the biggest protest of a two-week movement to force the president to reverse a decision to halt European integration.

The Guardian

They are calling for the government to reverse a decision to change the method of uprating pensions, which they say has already drastically reduced their members' pension pots.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reverse a decision" when the original choice is completely undone or changed to its opposite. If the change is partial, consider using "modify a decision" or "adjust a decision".

Common error

Avoid using "reverse a decision" when only a part of the original decision is being changed. "Reverse a decision" implies a complete turnaround, so using it for minor adjustments is misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reverse a decision" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "reverse" is the action being performed on the noun "decision". Ludwig confirms this is a correct and frequently used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reverse a decision" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the act of changing a previous decision to its opposite. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is frequently found in news and media, as well as formal business settings. While alternatives like "revoke a decision" or "rescind a decision" exist, "reverse a decision" offers a straightforward and easily understood way to convey the concept of a complete turnaround. Be mindful that the phrase implies a complete turnaround, so ensure its usage accurately reflects the situation to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

revoke a decision

Focuses on officially canceling or nullifying a decision.

rescind a decision

Implies taking back or annulling a decision, often formally.

overturn a decision

Suggests that a higher authority rejects or invalidates a previous decision.

repeal a decision

Specifically refers to revoking or annulling a law, act, or policy-related decision.

nullify a decision

Highlights making a decision invalid or without legal force.

undo a decision

Suggests actions taken to make it as though a decision never happened.

change a decision

General term for altering a decision that does not imply undoing it.

alter a decision

Indicates that there has been a modification or adjustment to the decision, but it doesn't convey a full reversal.

withdraw a decision

Indicates that decision is pulled back, possibly temporarily.

modify a decision

Focuses on adjusting or amending a decision rather than completely reversing it.

FAQs

What does "reverse a decision" mean?

To "reverse a decision" means to change a previous decision to its opposite or to completely undo it. For example, a company might "reverse a decision" to close a plant due to improved market conditions.

What are some alternatives to "reverse a decision"?

Some alternatives include "revoke a decision", "rescind a decision", "overturn a decision", or "undo a decision". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "reverse a decision"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Reverse" functions as a verb, and "decision" is the noun being acted upon. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

How is "reverse a decision" different from "modify a decision"?

"Reverse a decision" implies a complete change to the opposite of the initial decision. "Modify a decision" means altering or adjusting the decision, but not necessarily changing it entirely. It depends on how drastic the changes are.