about-face

Speech parts

1. about-face - Verb

2. about-face - Phrase

Meaning

(intransitive) To turn 180 degrees to face the opposite direction.
The soldiers would about-face immediately after the order was given.

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.

Source: en.wiktionary.org

Alternative names

about face

Synonyms

reversal volte-face about turn u-turn turn volta shift turning reverse swing pivot retraction swerve turnaround flip-flop

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Antonyms

reliability freeze durability permanence constancy firmness

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Hypernyms

change turn reverse reversal reversion turnaround

Hyponyms

undoing

Examples

A look at the updated advice about face coverings published in the Government's latest document, the day after Boris Johnson's update on the coronavirus lockdown. Source: Internet

The message about face coverings now being mandatory in Jasper is spreading, council said at Tuesday’s meeting. Source: Internet

Given the political damage done by her cynical about-face, it’s surprising how sympathetic McCorvey — campy, foul-mouthed and irreverent — comes off. Source: Internet

Lorraine Breffni, the executive director of Early Childhood at Nova Southeastern University’s University School Mailman Segal Center, said that all ages of children will have questions about face coverings. Source: Internet

In an about-face from the standard television practice, they request that viewers do not send fan mail detailing their theories as to what a Sampo might be. Source: Internet

Though often derided for his about-face on Mr. Trump (he once called him a “kook”), his record shows that he is a wily political survivor. Source: Internet

Words in the phrase