right about face

American  

[rahyt-uh-boht-feys] / ˈraɪt əˈboʊtˈfeɪs /

Or rightabout-face,

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.

3. any complete reversal, as of conduct or opinion.

---

Etymology

Origin of right about face

First recorded in 1805–15

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

right about face

Then she turned right about face and looked in his direction.

From A Gamble with Life by Silas K. (Silas Kitto) Hocking

That sent us right about face, to climbing, scrambling, running and plunging back to our first stand at the saddle, where we arrived breathless and eager.

From Tales of lonely trails by Zane Grey

Aunt Rachel turned right about face with an almost military precision, and passing her arm through Ruth's led the girl away, leaving Reuben shaken back into internal chaos.

From Aunt Rachel by David Christie Murray

"What's that crowd up to, Uncle Jo?" said Aileen, linking her arm in the old man's and making him right about face to walk on with them.

From Flamsted quarries by G. Patrick Nelson

The American troops swarmed out in their underdrawers and cartridge belts, and that surprise party turned right about face.

From A Woman's Impression of the Philippines by Mary Helen Fee