volte-face Hear it!

volte-face Definition

volte·-face (vôlt′fäs′)

noun

  1. a turn so as to face the opposite way; about-face
  2. a complete reversal of opinion, attitude, etc.

Etymology: Fr < It volta faccia < volta, a turn (see volt) + faccia < VL facia, face

volte-face Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • do: Does this volte-face represent the end of the dreams spun around the Web?
  • make: Still, it did not take long before this buyer made a complete volte-face.
  • represent: Its acquisition was a significant one, representing a volte-face in the Library's attitude to ephemeral materials.

Adjective modifier

  • complete: Then, in a complete volte-face, a referendum was conceded.