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about face
1interjection
- (used as a military command to perform an about-face.)
about-face
2[ noun uh-bout-feys, uh-bout-feys; verb uh-bout-feys ]
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)
- to execute an about face.
- to turn in the opposite direction.
- to switch to an opposite opinion.
Word History and Origins
Origin of about face1
Origin of about face2
Example Sentences
His warning to Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad and subsequent about-face is still considered a low point of his presidency.
Since 2008, the party has executed a huge about-face on issues of executive power and national security.
Asked to explain the about-face, Bush blamed the shifting political sands.
Yet such an about-face seems unlikely, at least according to one rank-and-file Brotherhood member.
But such an about-face by the stubborn government seems unlikely.
He turned on his heel in an automatically correct about-face and strode out of the office.
His complete about-face wasn't setting so well with Herr Stohl.
He had sternly informed her that she must about-face and do better.
Funny change of direction, from planning to go out to China and the East, about-face to planning to settle down and take root.
Heaven knows at that there was such a sudden pause and about-face as must have made even the stolen dog laugh had it been there.
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