Grammar fix
roll back
reverse or reduce (a policy, law, or change)
to officially reduce, weaken, or reverse the effect of a rule, law, policy, or change, especially after it has already been put in place
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- The government decided to roll back the new tax after widespread protests.work
- If the authorities roll back environmental regulations, it could have serious consequences for public health.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: roll back something | roll something back
WrongThey rolled back on the new rules.
RightThey rolled back the new rules.
'Roll back' takes the object directly — no 'on'. (To break a promise, use 'go back on'.)
Patternroll back something | roll something back
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Roll back' is the natural news verb for reversing a policy; 'rescind regulations' is legalistic.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
roll back + policythe rulesregulationsrightsthe changes
Don't confuse it
At B1/B2, 'roll back' may be understood literally (e.g., to move something backwards by rolling it). This sense is figurative and refers to reversing or reducing the impact of a policy, rule, or change.