about-face

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

/ noun əˈbaʊtˌfeɪs, əˈbaʊtˈfeɪs; verb əˌbaʊtˈfeɪs /

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.

Words nearby about-face

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65

about face

(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