about turn

US about face

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interjection

a military command to a formation of men to reverse the direction in which they are facing

noun about-turn, US about-face

a complete change or reversal, as of opinion, attitude, direction, etc

verb about-turn, US about-face

(intr) to perform an about-turn

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Words nearby about turn

about, about face, about ship, about time, about to, about turn, above, above all, above and beyond, aboveboard, aboveground

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

How to use about turn in a sentence

He say de dead Tomlinsons would in-about turn over in dee graves ef dee know he sont a cripple man 'way from he 'ouse.
Free Joe and Other Georgian Sketches|Joel Chandler Harris
Private Thomas Atkins was marched to a wall, ordered to right-about turn, and then (under the command of the Quartermaster) shot.
Punch 1893.07.29|Various
It failed to hear the order "About-turn" and marched straight forward.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 147, October 28, 1914|Various
But having gained it I performed an about-turn and continued to mark time there, whilst surveying the moon-bathed road behind me.
The Green Eyes of Bst|Sax Rohmer

Natural it may have been, but none the less it was a right-about-turn of the spirit.
Old and New Masters|Robert Lynd