heel turn

American  

[heel turn] / ˈhil ˌtɜrn /

noun

1. Professional Wrestling. a dramatic change of persona from a heroic face character to a villainous heel character.

2. a reversal of position or direction, especially a change in character or affiliation perceived as abandoning a righteous or heroic course in pursuit of an unscrupulous or villainous one.

   The governor’s heel turn on healthcare will harm his constituents while lining his re-election coffers.

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Etymology

Origin of heel turn

First recorded in 1895–1900 as a maneuver in skating; 1990–95 heel turn for def. 1 and 2010–15 heel turn for def. 2

Example Sentences

Canada’s heel turn has come in curling, of all sports.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 15, 2026

The LP turns out to be something of a heel turn; it’s got a proudly villainous energy as Swift embraces her messiest and most chaotic tendencies.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2024

For some, his divorce and remarriage represented a heel turn.

From New York Times • May 10, 2023

That the show takes its name for the term used to refer to villains implies that anyone can make a heel turn.

From Salon • Aug. 15, 2021

If Cline had any meaningful awareness of his protagonist’s dramatic heel turn, it might have made for a far more interesting read.

From Slate • Dec. 1, 2020