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

Saluting their commander, the Battleship Boys executed a right about face and marched from the deck.

From The Battleship Boys at Sea Two Apprentices in Uncle Sam's Navy by Patchin, Frank Gee

When Erlon had almost reached Napoleon he turned his army corps right about face and led it off back again towards Ney.

From Waterloo by Belloc, Hilaire

As we step through the gateway into the street, the man turns right about face and we are seen.

From Mr. Fortescue An Andean Romance by Westall, William

"Now right about face and back-track uptown," ordered the officer.

From Oh, You Tex! by Raine, William MacLeod

"There's only one thing to do," said Frank decidedly, "and that is to right about face and try to find the place where we turned off."

From Army Boys on German Soil Our Doughboys Quelling the Mobs by Randall, Homer