about-face
12
7.3
- noun
- /əˈbaʊtˌfeɪs/
- Literature
- In a sudden about-face, the company decided to reverse its layoffs and retain all employees.
- made an about-face
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Watch on YouTubeThe press are reporting that this mass revolt by open AI staff was the primary reason for the boards about face.
- The press are reporting that this mass revolt by open AI staff was the primary reason for the boards about face.
Examples
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What becomes apparent in his ideological about-face is just how out of touch McCain is.
Blog text (3) -
Anyone following him has been left in the wake of this about-face.
Blog text (23) -
We do an about-face, bring the guys right home.
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The reasons for this about-face were several.
Academic text (2000) -
Meanwhile, the discussion on property ownership has made an about-face.
Academic text (1994) -
And, unless you've completely lost your faculty, sir... I demand an explanation for this fantastic about-face.
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Finally, in 1992, the Chinese regime made an about-face in economic reform when it realized the need for economic liberalization.
Academic text (1993) -
But by the end of 2014, in one of those about-faces that make history, Putin's position was much weaker than that of many of his Western counterparts.
Academic text (2015) -
In Dickerson, however, the Department of Justice simply reversed its position, without even acknowledging (much less explaining) the about-face.
Academic text (2001) -
I'm sure he has work of his own to do. Thorn nodded stiffly and did an about-face, following the shorter FBI agent back toward the staircase.
Fiction book (1996)
Synonyms
75
4.2
A change to the opposite direction or position, for example when wind turns
55
3.4
A time when a person decides they feel differently about something
31
6.7
A sudden change in opinion or policy that reverses an earlier decision
21
4.4
A complete change of direction or opinion
9
6.0
A complete change to the opposite view or decision
8
5.2
A sudden change to the opposite decision or policy
5
2.8
A decision to take back a previous choice or opinion
5
5.5
Changing a previous promise, decision, or opinion
3
6.2
A change of direction, focus, or beliefs to follow a new way
1
5.8
A complete change of direction or opinion, often sudden
1
6.6
A sudden public change of a decision or promise
1
9.6
A sudden complete change of opinion or plan
Antonyms
How Complete
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
About-face as a noun comes from the marching order about + face, meaning 'turn around and face the opposite direction', so it now names any sudden or complete change in direction, opinion, or policy.