about face

/əˌbaʊtˈfeɪs/
noun
  1. A complete change of opinion, direction, or policy.
    • His about-face on the issue surprised everyone who knew his previous stance.
    • The government's about-face on taxes caused a lot of confusion.
    • The company did an about-face and decided to support the new regulation.
  2. A military command to turn and face the opposite direction, or the action of doing so.
    • He practiced the about-face until he could do it without thinking.
    • The troops executed a perfect about-face during the parade.
    • The sergeant shouted, 'About-face!' and the soldiers turned around.
verb
  1. To reverse one's opinion, direction, or policy completely.
    • She about-faced and decided to take the job after all.
    • The team about-faced and headed back to the base.
    • The politician about-faced on the issue after public pressure.
What does "about face" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean