revert to type

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.
See also: revert, type
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

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.
See also: revert, type
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • gracious
  • gracious plenty
  • a gracious plenty
  • plenty
  • oh my goodness gracious
  • hail (someone) as (something)
  • hail as
  • have a sweet tooth
  • Tuesday's child is full of grace
  • a sweet tooth
References in periodicals archive
Kariobangi Sharks, who, after enjoying a stellar sophomore season in the top flight league, endured a disappointing campaign last season, finishing eighth, will be keen to revert to type when they take on Western Stima in their opening match at the Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos.
Quaid suggests that Meyler will revert to type after making two big changes last week, with Tim O'Mahony tried out in midfield with Darragh Fitzgibbon.
Yet DeGale does not believe Eubank will listen to any advice, predicting he will "revert to type" after a handful of rounds allowing the former IBF king to emerge victorious.
City fans feel Jose Mourinho will revert to type and "park the bus" at the Etihad Stadium, but Fernandinho says he is unconcerned about how United approach the match.
Any dog can revert to type and behave in a way that's natural to them but potentially fatal to us.
"There is usually a purge for three to four weeks and then people revert to type.
He told magistrates at the Huddersfield court that when Harrington was released from custody he would revert to type and commit offences again.
Despite the newly extended 45-minute format, Holyrood needed only 10 minutes to revert to type. But the tone set by the two principal leaders undermined what turned out to be a far more wide-ranging look at issues.
If they revert to type and turn in another poor performance it wouldn't be a surprise either.
When he's home he tends to revert to type and likes to spend his time drinking lots of beer and watching football.
In the following weeks there are several opportunities for you to revert to type and sit at home or go down the pub to watch the Boro on TV, but if you really feel like being a true supporter, get yourself to the Riverside!
And then, sadly, we seem to revert to type - going back to ignoring each other.
WEST BROM ended a sorry start to the season by winning at Tottenham on Sunday but they could well revert to type at home to Hull in the Capital One Cup this evening, writes Steve Davies.
The next few days will presumably see the world's wettest tennis tournament revert to type and the quaint local pastimes of shower-dodging, courtcover surfing and wellywanging being reprised.
Or is it a slick PR job on a candidate who will revert to type once he has his feet under the desk in the Oval Office?