U-turn
Americannoun
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U-turns
plural
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a U -shaped turn made by a vehicle so as to head in the opposite direction from its original course.
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a reversal of policy, tactics, or the like, resembling such a maneuver.
verb (used without object)
noun
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a turn made by a vehicle in the shape of a U, resulting in a reversal of direction
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a complete change in direction of political or other policy
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of U-turn
First recorded in 1925–30
Vocabulary lists containing u-turn
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
And while the option of an extension cannot be completely discounted, it seems inconceivable that Mateta would perform a U-turn now given the lengths he has gone to to prove his current one is invalid.
From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2026
Within weeks Masino pulled a U-turn, dumping the new logo, dropping the marketing firm behind it and pausing restaurant remodels, bringing back proven sellers like campfire meals and ham dinners.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026
A 79-year-old woman who was not affiliated with the school had been trying to make a U-turn in the school parking lot, according to Glendale Police Sgt.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 8, 2026
The mood was also lifted by strong Wall Street earnings, while US President Donald Trump's U-turn on threats to impose levies on cargo through the Strait of Hormuz provided a little support.
From Barron's ● Jul. 15, 2026
Harriet pedaled away, then did a sharp U-turn.
From "Caterpillar Summer" by Gillian McDunn
So far, at least seven oil tankers have made U-turns close to Yemen since the embargo.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
Starmer, under pressure for months over policy U-turns and questions about his judgement, announced on June 22 that he was resigning after losing the support of Labour MPs.
From Barron's ● Jul. 9, 2026
Maritime intelligence firm Windward said in a Thursday report that five vessels made U-turns.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026
There have been more than a dozen big U-turns.
From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2026
With every step, frantic golden arrows appeared beneath his feet, bending into U-turns on the floor.
From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
