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

See Examples For:

heel turn

After eliminating the U.S. at its own tournament, Belgium is embracing its heel turn this summer.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026

In professional wrestling, they call this sort of manufactured misbehavior a heel turn.

From New York Times ● Jul. 24, 2023

Any heel turn now would be more costly for Microsoft because it’s using Bing’s brand, not something distinct.

From Slate ● Feb. 17, 2023

But while USC and Riley take their inevitable heel turn this season, I have no doubt Kelly will bask in that anonymity for a while.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 30, 2022

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