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What does about-face mean?

Definitions for about-face
əˈbaʊtˌfeɪs, əˈbaʊtˈfeɪs; əˌbaʊtˈfeɪsabout-face

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word about-face.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. about-face, about turnnoun

    act of pivoting 180 degrees, especially in a military formation

  2. about-face, volte-face, reversal, policy changeverb

    a major change in attitude or principle or point of view

    "an about-face on foreign policy"

  3. about-faceverb

    turn, usually 180 degrees

  4. about-faceverb

    change one's mind and assume the opposite viewpoint

Wiktionary

  1. about-facenoun

    An abrupt turn to face the opposite direction.

    The soldier did an about-face and marched off.

  2. about-facenoun

    A reversal in direction; reversal of attitude or opinion.

    When Luke heard the news, he did an abrupt about-face on the policy.

  3. about-faceverb

    To turn 180 degrees to face the opposite direction;

    The soldiers would about-face immediately after the order was given.

  4. about-faceverb

    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.

  5. Etymology: * First attested in 1861.

ChatGPT

  1. about-face

    An about-face is a complete change of opinion or policy, often in the opposite direction. It also refers to a military movement in which a person turns to face the opposite direction.

  2. about-face

    An about-face refers to a complete change of direction, attitude, or point of view, usually to the exact opposite. This term is initially a military order, commanding people to turn around to face the opposite direction.

  3. about-face

    An about-face is a complete reversal of direction, attitude, or point of view. It originated from a military command where soldiers are instructed to turn around so they're facing the opposite direction. It's often used metaphorically to discuss policies, decisions, or attitudes that have radically changed.

  4. about-face

    An about-face refers to a complete and sudden change in behavior, opinion, or direction which is often quite contrary or opposite to the previous one. It originates from military language meaning to turn and march in the opposite direction.

Matched Categories

How to pronounce about-face?

How to say about-face in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of about-face in Chaldean Numerology is: 1

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of about-face in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2

Examples of about-face in a Sentence

  1. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei:

    In Western countries and places which are under U.S. influence, our banking transactions and the repatriation of our funds from their banks face problems ... because (banks) fear the Americans.

  2. Andrew Favorov:

    What is in doubt is whether this investment, these funds, will be around for much longer. They're saying - 'where's something tangible?' Nobody believes the press conferences, people have a hard time taking the words at face value anymore. We're yet to get a clear picture.

  3. Joseph Strickland:

    Because let's face it, there aren't many feature films directed by African-American filmmakers who choose to turn a spotlight on opioid abuse, institutionalized racism, and mental health.

  4. Adrian Kulp:

    I've come into what modern fatherhood is, the face of fatherhood is changing, and I think it's for the better.

  5. John Roskelley:

    Its in an area above a basin, there must have been a lot of snow that came down and got them off the face.

more sentences »

References

Translations for about-face

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

  • [[tehdä]] [[täyskäännös]], täyskäännösFinnish
  • faire demi-tour, demi-tour, faire volte-face, revirement, volte-faceFrench
  • fare dietrofront, fare il voltagabbana, banderuola, fare il voltafaccia, dietro front, voltafaccia, voltagabbana, dietrofrontItalian
  • meia-voltaPortuguese
  • кругомRussian
  • 關於臉Chinese

Get even more translations for about-face »

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"about-face." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 30 Jan. 2025. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/about-face>.

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