about face

¹

interjection

1. (used as a military command to perform an about-face.)

about-face

²

[uh-bout-feys, uh-bout-feys, uh-bout-feys]

noun

1. Military.,  a turn of 180° from the position of attention.

2. a complete, sudden change in position, direction, principle, attitude, etc..

   They've done an about-face in their foreign policy.

verb (used without object)

about-faced, about-facing 

1. to execute an about face.

2. to turn in the opposite direction.

3. to switch to an opposite opinion.

Word History and Origins

Origin of about face¹

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65

Origin of about face²

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65

Related Words

• U-turn 
• policy change www.thesaurus.com
• reversal 
• turnabout 
• turnaround