about-face

[noun uh-bout-feys, uh-bout-feys; verb uh-bout-feys]

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

a complete, sudden change in position, direction, principle, attitude, etc.: They've done an about-face in their foreign policy.

to execute an about face.

to turn in the opposite direction.

to switch to an opposite opinion.

Nearby words

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65

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

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65

Asked to explain the about-face, Bush blamed the shifting political sands.
Are Republicans the New Democrats?|Andrew Romano|March 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Yet such an about-face seems unlikely, at least according to one rank-and-file Brotherhood member.
Deaths of Gaber Salah, Islam Masoud Signal Egypt’s Dangerous Divisions|Alastair Beach|November 27, 2012|DAILY BEAST
But such an about-face by the stubborn government seems unlikely.
Memogate Brings Pakistan to the Edge|Ron Moreau|January 16, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Areheart thought this about-face happened because Jackson suddenly felt “terribly exposed,” in a way he had never done before.
When Jackie Met Jacko|William Kuhn|December 4, 2010|DAILY BEAST

In eight months, you have done an about-face and taken this country in a much more sane direction.
A Prize With a Price|Michael Moore|October 9, 2009|DAILY BEAST
He saluted and made an about-face as perfectly as he could in the shifting sand beneath his feet.
Lady Luck|Hugh Wiley
This was the first time in the history of the battery that it was necessary to shoulder packs to execute an about-face.
The Delta of the Triple Elevens|William Elmer Bachman
She had a strong desire to about-face and return to Harlowe House.
Grace Harlowe's Problem|Jessie Graham Flower
The Guards step forward, about-face, and the Color Guard wheels and returns to ranks.
Scouting For Girls, Official Handbook of the Girl Scouts|Girl Scouts
Just as they were starting into the hotel, a shout from Carl brought them all to a halt and an about-face.
Motor Matt's Red Flyer, or, On the High Gear|Stanley R. Matthews