about face

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See synonyms for: about face / about-faced / about-facing on Thesaurus.com

interjection

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

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QUIZ YOURSELF ON AFFECT VS. EFFECT!

In effect, this quiz will prove whether or not you have the skills to know the difference between “affect” and “effect.”

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The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.

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Origin of about face

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65

about-face

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

/ noun əˈbaʊtˌfeɪs, əˈbaʊtˈfeɪs; verb əˌbaʊtˈfeɪs /

noun

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.

verb (used without object), a·bout-faced, a·bout-fac·ing.

to execute an about face.

to turn in the opposite direction.

to switch to an opposite opinion.

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65

In that photo, Merabet has a big smile that spreads across his whole face and lights up his eyes.
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Cassandra, whose hair has already begun to fall out from her court-mandated chemotherapy, could face a similar outcome.
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They know they will face either a swift backlash or deafening silence.
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They are to face oppression with humble persistence and absolute conviction.
Mexico’s Priests Are Marked for Murder|Jason McGahan|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST

She narrowed her eyes, bit her lip as if to chew over the question, and whisked some stray blond hairs away from her face.
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It is most peculiar, and when he plays that way, the most bewitching little expression comes over his face.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
Bernard stood there face to face with Mrs. Vivian, whose eyes seemed to plead with him more than ever.
Confidence|Henry James
A Yankee, whose face had been mauled in a pot-house brawl, assured General Jackson that he had received his scars in battle.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun;|Various
With a suffocating gasp, she fell back into the chair on which she sat, and covered her face with her hands.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
Joe looked at her with a smile, his face still solemn and serious for all its youth and the fires of new-lit hope behind his eyes.
The Bondboy|George W. (George Washington) Ogden