right about face

[ rahyt-uh-boht-feys ]

/ ˈraɪt əˈboʊtˈfeɪs /

Military.

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.
the act of so turning in a prescribed military manner.

any complete reversal, as of conduct or opinion.

QUIZZES

American English is not always as it appears to be ... get to know regional words in this quiz!

Question 1 of 10

A bet is synonymous with a wager, but what does it mean in New York?

First recorded in 1805–15

The recent endeavours of his journal to whip the Government-team to a right-about-face were annoying, preposterous.
Diana of the Crossways, Complete|George Meredith
He would make a right-about-face, travel for a year on a sailing vessel, see the world.
The Stolen Singer|Martha Idell Fletcher Bellinger
It had shocked him from his orbit and set him to the right-about-face.
Satan Sanderson|Hallie Erminie Rives
The editor of the Globe made a right-about-face—repudiating us.
Tramping on Life|Harry Kemp

Now, what is the reason of this right-about-face on the part of the poet?
The Man Shakespeare|Frank Harris