right about face

Or 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.

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of right about face¹

First recorded in 1805–15

Example Sentences

They commanded us to “right about face.”

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

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Any of your nonsense and it'll be right about face with you.

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Everybody back up—I mean, right about face.

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‘We all know what it is to be young—no one likes a joke better than I do—but rules are rules, and the hour for going home has struck, so right about face, march! and quick step too.’

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