return to form
Back to excellence
A return to form is a recovery of one's previous level of skill, quality, or success after a period of decline or disappointment.
The phrase is used especially in sports and entertainment, where performers or teams are expected to maintain high standards.
After two losing seasons, the championship was a welcome return to form for the franchise.
The expression implies that the earlier excellence was the person's true capability, temporarily obscured.
- bounce backRecover from difficulty
- regainAcquire again
- recoverRegain health or possession
- revitalizeRestore strength and vitality
- reboundReturn after deflection
back on track · restore · recapture · former glory · comeback · resurgence · career revival · resilience · reinvention · second wind · glory days · old magic · breakthrough · craftsmanship · mastery · hitting stride · improvement · mend
return to formdownward spiral
Self-reinforcing deterioration
deterioration · regression · decline · falling off · worsening
return to formpast one's prime
washed up · has-been · over the hill · fallen from grace · poor form
return, form, returns, returned, returning, returner, forms, formed, forming