Reversal Indicators

As regular readers might have noticed, I've been putting together a list of clue type indicators. Reversals this time. (Check out the other indicators by clicking on the Index button on the site's header.) 

To recap, reversal clues are those in which a word/phrase is turned around to give the solution.
e.g. (from NIE) Rising star, nonsense! (4) RATS <-

A specialty of reversal indicators: many indicators will work only for ACROSS clues and not for DOWN clues, and vice-versa.

1. ACROSS clue reversal indicators suggest a change of direction horizontally. e.g. going west, to the left.
2. DOWN clue reversal indicators suggest a change of direction vertically. e.g. going up, mounting, rising.
3. Generic reversal indicators such as around, back can be used for both ACROSS and DOWN clues.

[Given that, quick question: where in the puzzle can you expect to see the above clue "Rising star, nonsense! (4)" – the Across set, the Down set, or either of the two?]

Here's a compilation of frequently seen reversal indicators, grouped into those three categories – ACROSS only, DOWN only, and Generic.

Reversal Indicators – ACROSS only

FROM THE EAST FROM THE RIGHT

GOING WEST TO THE LEFT

WESTBOUND

Reversal Indicators – DOWN only

ASCENDING BROUGHT UP CAST UP CLIMBING COMING UP FROM THE BOTTOM FROM THE SOUTH

GOING NORTH GOING UP HAULED UP LIFTED LOOKING UP NORTHBOUND RAISED RAISING

SENT UP SHOWN UP TURNS UP UPSET UPRISING UPWARDLY MOBILE WRITTEN UP

Reversal Indicators – Generic

ABOUT AROUND BACK BACK-TO-FRONT BACKED BACKING BACKWARD BROUGHT ABOUT COMING BACK COUNTER

FLIPPED FLIPPING GOING BACK GOING ROUND LOOKING BACK OVER OVERTURNED RETIRING RETREAT RETREATING RETROGRADE

RETROSPECTIVE RETURN REVERSED REVERSING REVOLUTIONARY ROUND SENT BACK TURN TURNED TURNING

Thanks to Ganesh for his inputs in compiling this list.

Related Posts:

• Reversal Clue Type
• Other Indicators

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