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right about face

or right·a·bout-face, right-a·bout-face

[rahyt-uh-boht-feys]
noun
  1. Military.
    1. a command, given to a soldier or soldiers at attention, to turn the body about toward the right so as to face in the opposite direction.
    2. the act of so turning in a prescribed military manner.
  2. rightabout(def 2).
  3. any complete reversal, as of conduct or opinion.
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Origin of right about face

First recorded in 1805–15
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for right about face

Historical Examples of right about face

  • Now, what is the reason of this right-about-face on the part of the poet?

    The Man Shakespeare

    Frank Harris

  • It had shocked him from his orbit and set him to the right-about-face.

    Satan Sanderson

    Hallie Erminie Rives

  • It was like being dismissed from parade; a right-about-face, march!

    Raw Gold

    Bertrand W. Sinclair

  • The editor of the Globe made a right-about-face—repudiating us.

  • The general-aide-de-camp executed a right-about-face, like a soldier on parade; the Prince still smiled.