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Definition of "about-face" []

  • The act of pivoting to face in the opposite direction from the original, especially in a military formation. (noun)
  • A military command to turn clockwise 180°. (noun)
  • A total change of attitude or viewpoint. (noun)
  • To reverse direction. (verb-intransitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "about-face" in a sentence
  • "That would entail an about-face for the IMF, which has spent the last year or two arguing that nations needed to make deficit-reduction goal No. 1."
  • "Girardi—who spoke with his shortstop several times Tuesday night and conferred with general manager Brian Cashman—did an about-face, saying he'd likely keep Jeter in the lineup until he reaches the milestone."
  • "Rodriguez has been involved in a similar about-face in his career."