round on
Turn against sharply
To round on someone is to turn on them suddenly with anger or criticism, often unexpectedly: She rounded on him when he questioned her motives.
The phrase suggests a sharp pivot—someone who seemed calm or agreeable suddenly becomes confrontational.
Common in British English.
- retaliateRespond to injury alike
- assailVigorously go after
- turn onCause to operate
- confrontFace squarely, address directly
- attackAggressive act against another
have a go at · lambaste · accuse · upbraid · come down on · set upon · rebuke · fall on · take to task · read the riot act · reprimand · lay into · abuse · berate · light into · let someone have it · give someone hell · lash out
round onstay calm
Remain unruffled
shrug off · brush off · keep one's cool · stay cool · bite one's tongue
round onstand by
Remain ready to assist
support · defend · back up · stand up for · stick up for
round, rounds, rounded, rounding, rounder, roundest, roundly, roundness, roundish