about face
interjection
(used as a military command to perform an about-face).
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Origin of about face
An Americanism dating back to 1860–65
Words nearby about face
abought, Aboukir Bay, aboulia, abound, about, about face, about ship, about time, about to, about turn, above
Definition for about face (2 of 2)
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.
Origin of about-face
An Americanism dating back to 1860–65
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020