relapse

Everyday

1. Becoming ill again after seeming to get better. tree →
2. Going back to a bad habit or behaviour after stopping it. tree →
3. verb To fall back into illness or a bad state. tree →

In the lessons

In adult life and health: a patient may «have a relapse». In ethics and habits: someone trying to stop smoking may relapse. In school stories, a child may relapse into old naughty ways. Phrases: «suffer a relapse», «relapse into».

Examples

• Grandpa was getting better but then had a relapse. tree →
• After a good week, he relapsed into his old habit of chewing pencils. tree →
• The doctor warned her to rest to avoid a relapse. tree →
• She relapsed into silence. tree →
• A relapse can happen, so keep trying. tree →
• He stayed away from sweets for a month before a small relapse. tree →
• Whenever the old man had occasion to reprimand the little boy--and the occasions were frequent--he would relapse into a dignified but stubborn silence. tree →

Note

Same spelling for noun and verb; stress: re-LAPSE (verb), RE-lapse or re-LAPSE (noun). A relapse does not mean failure forever; many people try again and succeed.