about turn

British

interjection

a military command to a formation of men to reverse the direction in which they are facing

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

a complete change or reversal, as of opinion, attitude, direction, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

(intr) to perform an about-turn

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In a sudden about turn on Sunday, Macron said France's 1,500 counter-terrorism troops would finally withdraw from its former colony after a two-month stand off since a military coup that overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum.

From Reuters • Sep. 26, 2023

Even some of Musk’s own supporters, who advocate a broad interpretation of free speech, appeared taken aback by the about turn.

From Washington Post • Dec. 16, 2022

This about turn might have been thought to have damaged public confidence in how Edinburgh has been handling the pandemic.

From BBC • Nov. 19, 2020

A few of the filmmakers are professionals; many more are hobbyists or people who fantasize about turn pro.

From New York Times • Jun. 8, 2010

He went over to the pick, immediately clapped his hand over his nose, made an "about turn" and came back.

From Over the Top by Empey, Arthur Guy

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023