about face
Complete direction change
About face is a military command to turn 180 degrees, reversing direction completely.
The phrase extends to any abrupt reversal of position, opinion, or policy: The senator did an about face on immigration reform.
Also written about-face.
The verb means to perform such a reversal: The company about-faced on its pricing strategy.
Direction-reversing driving maneuver
- flip-flopSudden change of position
- backtrackingReversing to find alternatives
- retractionFormal withdrawal of statement
- recantationFormal withdrawal of statement
turnaround · rollback · revocation · repudiation · withdrawal · climb-down · reversal · change of heart
U-turn
Direction-reversing driving maneuver
- flip-flopSudden change of position
- backtrackingReversing to find alternatives
- retractionFormal withdrawal of statement
recantation · turnaround · rollback · revocation · repudiation · withdrawal · climb-down · reversal · change of heart · pivot
drill
Hole-boring device
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
- formationCreation or arrangement
- parade groundMilitary ceremonial field
salute · inspection · cadence · march · sergeant · platoon · infantry · barracks · squad · maneuver
rotation
Turning on an axis
wheel · pirouette · revolve · reorientation · twist · veer · rotate
- maneuversmaneuver, feint, sidestep, dodge, evasion
- marchingmilitary march, quick march, slow march, route march, forced march
- Military Paradesmarch music, marching, marchers, formation, formations
- reversalsreverse, undo, revert, overturn, flip
- turn phrasesturn the tables, turn a blind eye, turn over a new leaf, turn the corner, turn of events
- drill commandsshoulder arms, fall in, port arms, order arms, forward
about facestraight ahead
In a line, unchanged direction
forward march · stay the course · steady course · standing still · at ease
about facesteadfastness
Firm loyal dedication
stand firm · hold the line · stay the course · consistency · unwavering
about facestay the course
Continue despite difficulties
hold firm · stand pat · stick to one's guns · consistency · persistence
face, about, facial, turnabout, facially, about-face, about-turn, about-faced, about-faces