Understanding 'Revert' in English Communication

The phrase "Please revert!" is commonly used in certain contexts, especially in Indian English, to mean "Please reply" or "Please get back to me." While the standard dictionary definition of "revert" means to return to a former state, practice, or belief, its usage in business and casual communication often deviates from this. In the given sentence, Tom expects a response from the other person after the discussion.

Analyzing the Options for 'Please Revert!'

Let's examine each option to understand why 'get back to him' is the most appropriate phrase in this context.

• Retract: To retract means to withdraw something said or done. For example, "He retracted his statement." This meaning does not fit the context where Tom is asking for a response or feedback. If Tom said 'Please retract!', it would mean he wants the other person to take back something they said, which isn't implied by the original sentence.
• Get back to him: This phrase means to reply, respond, or contact someone again. When someone says "Please revert!" in an office or general communication setting, they almost always mean "Please reply" or "Please get back to me with your thoughts/decision." This aligns perfectly with the expectation of a response after a discussion.
• Move in reverse: This literally means to go backward, typically in a physical sense, like a car moving in reverse. This meaning is completely irrelevant to a request for a reply or feedback after a discussion.
• Retreat: To retreat means to withdraw from a difficult situation or battle. For example, "The army was forced to retreat." This word implies withdrawal due to a challenging circumstance, which does not fit the context of a post-discussion communication.

Completing the Sentence Meaning

Given the common usage of "Please revert!" in informal and business communication, Tom expects a reply or a follow-up communication. Therefore, the phrase "get back to him" accurately reflects this expectation.

When Tom said, "Please revert!" he was expecting a response. So, the complete sentence correctly becomes:

After the discussion, Tom said to me, 'Please revert!' He expects me to get back to him.