turnabout
Sudden direction change
Turnabout is a reversal or change to an opposite position, direction, or course of action: The company's turnabout on remote work surprised employees.
The phrase turnabout is fair play suggests that retaliating in kind is justified—if someone tricks you, you're entitled to trick them back.
A turnabout can also be a circular area for vehicles to reverse direction.
Sudden change of position
- volte-faceComplete reversal of opinion
- backtrackReverse one's position
- retractionFormal withdrawal of statement
- recantationFormal withdrawal of statement
repudiation · rollback · revocation · annulment · rescission · countermanding · undoing · reversal
Rapid rotation around axis
- pivotPoint of rotation
- swivelRotating connection point
- pirouetteBallet turn on one foot
- revolutionViolent governmental overthrow
whirl · twirl · rotation · turning · revolve · gyration · circumrotation
Punishing a wrongdoer
- paybackRetaliation for wrongs
- reciprocationMutual exchange of actions
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
- tit-for-tatEquivalent retaliation strategy
comeuppance · reprisal · counterattack · quid-pro-quo · vengeance · recompense · requital
Regaining what was lost
- resurgenceReturn after dormancy
- revivalReturn after decline
- reboundReturn after deflection
- rallyGathering for a cause
upswing · redemption · renaissance · triumph · victory
Street closed at end
- switchbackReversing mountain path
- hairpinU-shaped fastener for tresses
- reversingGoing in opposite direction
flip-flop
Sudden change of position
- volte-faceComplete reversal of opinion
- backtrackReverse one's position
- retractionFormal withdrawal of statement
recantation · repudiation · rollback · revocation · annulment · rescission · countermanding · undoing · reversal · switchback
spin
Rapid rotation around axis
revolution · whirl · twirl · rotation · turning · revolve · gyration · circumrotation
revenge
Punishing a wrongdoer
- paybackRetaliation for wrongs
- reciprocationMutual exchange of actions
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
tit-for-tat · comeuppance · reprisal · counterattack · quid-pro-quo · vengeance · recompense · requital
recovery
Regaining what was lost
- resurgenceReturn after dormancy
- revivalReturn after decline
- reboundReturn after deflection
rally · upswing · redemption · renaissance · triumph · victory
cul-de-sac
Street closed at end
- switchbackReversing mountain path
- hairpinU-shaped fastener for tresses
- reversingGoing in opposite direction
- plot twistsplot twist, twist ending, surprise ending, final reveal, surprise reveal
- role reversalpower shift, switcheroo, trading places
- formalsprom, prom queen, prom king, prom dress, boutonniere
- sudden shiftsjolt, lurch, swerve, snap decision, reversal
- retributionretribution, revenge, payback, vengeance, retaliation
- inversionsflip, handstand, reversal, upside down, upside-down
turnaboutcontinuation
Act of proceeding further
progress · forward motion · straight ahead · advancement · advance
turnaboutsteadfastness
Firm loyal dedication
constancy · consistency · persistence · entrenchment · holding firm