about-face

Wikipedia

English

Alternative forms

• about face

Etymology

• First attested in 1861.
• First used in the imperative in the military.
• about +‎ face

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA: /əˈbaʊtˌfeɪs/

Noun

about-face (plural about-faces)

1. (military) An abrupt turn to face the opposite direction.

   The soldier did an about-face and marched off.

2. A reversal in direction; reversal of attitude or opinion.

   When Luke heard the news, he did an abrupt about-face on the policy.

Translations

an abrupt turn to face the opposite direction (military)

• Finnish: täyskäännös (fi)
• French: (literal) demi-tour (fr) m; (figurative) volte-face (fr) f, revirement (fr) m

• Portuguese: meia-volta (pt) f
• Russian: кругом (ru) (krugóm)

Verb

about-face (third-person singular simple present about-faces, present participle about-facing, simple past and past participle about-faced)

1. (intransitive) To turn 180 degrees to face the opposite direction;

   The soldiers would about-face immediately after the order was given.

2. To change opinion or attitude drastically.

   A politician will about-face at the drop of a hat if he thinks there are votes in it.

Translations

Translations

• French: (literal) faire demi-tour (fr), (figurative) faire volte-face (fr)

See also

• about turn (UK)
• turn around
• 180