about face
(used as a military command to perform an about-face.)
Origin of about face
1Words Nearby about face
Other definitions for about-face (2 of 2)
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.
Origin of about-face
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use about face in a sentence
His warning to Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad and subsequent about-face is still considered a low point of his presidency.
Did Obama Just Draw Another Red Line in the East China Sea? | Michael Auslin | April 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTSince 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.
Deaths of Gaber Salah, Islam Masoud Signal Egypt’s Dangerous Divisions | Alastair Beach | November 27, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTBut 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.
Day of the Moron | Henry Beam PiperHis complete about-face wasn't setting so well with Herr Stohl.
Dave Dawson on the Russian Front | R. Sidney BowenHe had sternly informed her that she must about-face and do better.
Marjorie Dean, High School Junior | Pauline LesterFunny change of direction, from planning to go out to China and the East, about-face to planning to settle down and take root.
Rough-Hewn | Dorothy CanfieldHeaven 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.
In Kings' Byways | Stanley J. Weyman
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