About-face Definition
ə-boutfās
about-faced, about-faces, about-facing
noun
about-faces
The act of pivoting to face in the opposite direction from the original, especially in a military formation.
American Heritage
A sharp turn to the opposite direction, esp. in response to a military command.
Webster's New World
A military command to turn clockwise 180°.
American Heritage
A sharp change in attitude or opinion.
Webster's New World
A total change of attitude or viewpoint.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
- policy change
- volte-face
- reversal
- about-turn
- retroversion
- naturalization
- reconversion
- switch-over
- right-about-face
- change-over
- right-about
- re-formation
- flip-flop
- turnabout
- switch
verb
about-faced, about-faces, about-facing
To reverse direction.
American Heritage
To turn or face in the opposite direction.
Webster's New World
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.
Wiktionary
(military)Alternative form of about-face.
Wiktionary
Origin of About-face
-
First used in the imperative in the military.
From Wiktionary
-
From Wiktionary
First attested in 1861.
From Wiktionary
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