shortening of right-about face
(Source: Oxford Dictionary) [more]
[especially US] Same as "about-turn" | to perform an about-turn (9 of 394 words, 2 definitions, 8 usage examples, pronunciations)
www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/about-face 1
may refer to: About-face, a drill command in which a unit or soldier makes a 180-degree turn | About Face (film), a 1952 film starring Gordon MacRae and Eddie Bracken | About Face (2008 film), a Canadian film starring Hugh Dillon | About Face, a 1991... (43 of 269 words, 26 definitions)
a 180° turn to the right from the position of attention | a reversal of direction | a reversal of attitude, behavior, or point of view (24 of 102 words, 3 definitions, pronunciation)
Syllabification: (a·bout-face) | (chiefly in military contexts) a turn made so as to face the opposite direction | a complete change of opinion or ... (22 of 98 words, 6 definitions, 2 usage examples)
oxforddictionaries.com/definition/american english/about--face
(used as a military command to perform an about-face). | "about-face" : [military] a turn of 180° from the position of attention. | a complete, sudden ... (24 of 72 words, 6 definitions, 1 usage example, pronunciation)
a change of direction | a complete change of opinion or behaviour (11 of 56 words, 2 definitions, 2 usage examples, pronunciations)
[military] An abrupt turn to face the opposite direction. | A reversal in direction; reversal of attitude or opinion. | [intransitive] To turn 180 degrees to face the opposite direction | To change opinion or attitude drastically. (34 of 56 words, 4 definitions, 4 usage examples, pronunciation)
The act of pivoting to face in the opposite direction from the original, especially in a military formation. | A military command to turn clockwise ... (24 of 43 words, 4 definitions, pronunciation)
a sharp turn to the opposite direction, especially in response to a military command | a sharp change in attitude or opinion | to turn or face in the ... (27 of 41 words, 3 definitions, pronunciation)
an about-turn (2 of 28 words)
www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/about-face
a sudden and complete reversal of a previous opinion or policy | a turn to face in the opposite direction | to turn to face in the opposite direction ... (27 of 62 words, 3 definitions)
encarta.msn.com/dictionary 1861685115/definition.html [offline]
First use: mid 19th century
Origin: shortening of right-about face
oxforddictionaries.com/definition/american english/about--face
First use: 1861
Origin: the imperative phrase about face
Audio: North American pronunciation of "about-face"
www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/american/about-face
Audio: British English pronunciation of "about-face"
www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/about-face
Audio: North American pronunciation of "about-face"
www.merriam-webster.com/audio.php file=about 01 word=about-face
Page last updated: 2013-06-26