right-about

One-eighty degree turn

Right-about is a complete reversal of direction or position, a turn of 180 degrees.

The term comes from military drill commands: Right about, face!

More broadly, it describes any abrupt change of course or opinion: The company did a right-about on its pricing policy.

The phrase right-about face emphasizes the military origin.

reversal

turn

Rotational movement

pivotPoint of rotation
U-turnDirection-reversing driving maneuver
volte-faceComplete reversal of opinion

turnaround · reverse · spin · rotation · wheel · swivel · flip · backtrack · retrace · redirect

military

command

Authoritative instruction given

drillHole-boring device
paradeCeremonial public procession
formationCreation or arrangement

march · attention · halt · maneuver · quarters · dismiss · salute · inspection · regiment · barracks

dismissal

reject

Dismiss as unsuitable

rebuffAbrupt, curt rejection
expelRemove forcibly from membership
oustRemove from position

eject · refuse · repulse · dispatch · banish · dismiss · removal · eviction · snub · cold-shoulder

Opposites

degree of directional change

right-aboutstraight ahead

In a line, unchanged direction

forward · right-face · oblique · as you were · stand fast

direction of turn

right-aboutleft

Departed or portside

leftward · counterclockwise · anticlockwise · sinistral

continuity of course

right-aboutforward march

Order to begin walking

stay the course · onward · press on · continue

Family

right, about, rights, righted, righting, rightful, rightfully, rightness, righteous

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G