to about-face

Examples

• All

• Kat enters, then quickly tries to make an about-face.

  Fiction book (1999)

• Carlie about-faced with a speed that would have gladdened a parade major's heart and ran.

  Fiction book (2001)

• A guy entering the bar does a quick about-face.

  Fiction book (1996)

• Magua turns about face and advances on the column.

  Fiction book (1992)

• Then he about-faced his army and marched them away.

  Fiction book (1990)

• Formica smartly about-faces.

  Fiction book (1998)

• We salute and do an about-face... ...double-time back to the boom-boom garbage dump... ...where we proceed to get the clap, the drip, the crabs... ...and generally a poor attitude towards the female of the species.

  Heartbreak Ridge (1986)

• When he heard the command, he promptly about-faced and marched in the opposite direction.

• After spotting the enemy troops, the soldier quickly about-faced to retreat to safety.

• The instructor shouted, 'Now everyone about-face!' and the cadets immediately turned around.

Synonyms

T

to turn around

vsto about-face

384 2.0

To move your body to face the opposite direction or change your attitude

is a sudden full 180 degree physical rotation rather than a general change

S

to swing around

vsto about-face

10 3.2

Turn quickly to face the opposite direction

is specifically a sudden full 180 degree physical turn rather than any abrupt move

T

to turn on one's heel

vsto about-face

3 7.4

To leave quickly by suddenly walking away because you are angry or shocked

is an immediate 180 degree pivot rather than leaving or reacting

D

to do an about-face

vsto about-face

• Informal

3 6.6

To suddenly change your opinion or plan to the opposite

is a physical 180 degree rotation rather than a change in opinion

T

to turn round

vsto about-face

• UK

1 1.4

Move your body so you face the opposite direction

is a sudden exact 180 degree rotation rather than a simple movement

S

to swing about

vsto about-face

1 4.8

To turn quickly to face another direction or change your opinion suddenly

is focused on a precise sudden 180 degree change rather than general turns

How Far

spin

104 1.1

to about-face

• US

1 6.1

turn

485 1.0

to veer

63 4.2

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology