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About-face   /əbˈaʊt-feɪs/   Listen
About-face

noun
1.
Act of pivoting 180 degrees, especially in a military formation.  Synonym: about turn.
2.
A major change in attitude or principle or point of view.  Synonyms: policy change, reversal, volte-face.
verb
1.
Turn, usually 180 degrees.
2.
Change one's mind and assume the opposite viewpoint.





WordNet 3.0 © 2010 Princeton University


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"About-face" Quotes from Famous Books



... over the gently heaving bay. Marie could feel that young Greg was ready to burst; but she could not detect a move, not a quiver, out of him until the last note of the last bugle had ceased to re-echo. Then he saluted reverently, executed an about-face, and called out excitedly: "Auntie, auntie, there's papa ...
— Sonnie-Boy's People • James B. Connolly
... He executed an abrupt about-face and returned to the living room, where he renewed his pacing. It was evident that he had something portentous on his mind—he quite obviously wanted to be asked what was the matter. Joining him a moment later she sat upon the long lounge and began taking down her hair. It was no longer ...
— The Beautiful and Damned • F. Scott Fitzgerald
... to tell him. His bist friend saw ye in your canoe afther ye shtarted wid th' girrul. Ye're in fer it, Ben, me bhoy, onliss ye turrun roight-about-face an' do pwhat ye can fer th' girrul an' to have the indacint rascals pwhat ...
— Frank Merriwell's Pursuit - How to Win • Burt L. Standish
... side of bearer. They leave ranks together, form in line at right of troop, march shoulder to shoulder and always wheel to the right, the Color Bearer being the pivot and giving all orders to Guard. After Bearer has taken flag and turns, the Guards salute, take one step forward, about-face, and all march to position in front of troop. The Color Guard never takes part in the repeating of the Promise, Laws, Pledge of Allegiance or singing of Star ...
— Scouting For Girls, Official Handbook of the Girl Scouts • Girl Scouts
... cadets of the Polaris unit saluted, turned a perfect about-face, and walked once again from the room. Outside in the passageway, they relaxed and headed for ...
— The Space Pioneers • Carey Rockwell


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