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About-face

//əˈbaʊtˌfeɪs// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    An abrupt turn to face the opposite direction.

    "The soldier did an about-face and marched off."

  2. 2
    a major change in attitude or principle or point of view wordnet
  3. 3
    A reversal in direction; a reversal of attitude or opinion. figuratively

    "When Luke heard the news, he did an abrupt about-face on the policy."

  4. 4
    act of pivoting 180 degrees, especially in a military formation wordnet
Verb
  1. 1
    To turn 180 degrees to face the opposite direction. intransitive

    "The soldiers would about-face immediately after the order was given."

  2. 2
    change one's mind and assume the opposite viewpoint wordnet
  3. 3
    To change opinion or attitude drastically.

    "A politician will about-face at the drop of a hat if he thinks there are votes in it."

  4. 4
    turn, usually 180 degrees wordnet

Etymology

Etymology 1

From about + face, first attested in 1861, used in the imperative in the military.

Etymology 2

From about + face, first attested in 1861, used in the imperative in the military.

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