about-face

[ noun uh-bout-feys, uh-bout-feys; verb uh-bout-feys ]

/ noun əˈbaʊtˌfeɪs, əˈbaʊtˈfeɪs; verb əˌbaʊtˈfeɪs /

Military. a turn of 180° from the position of attention.

a complete, sudden change in position, direction, principle, attitude, etc.: They've done an about-face in their foreign policy.

to execute an about face.

to turn in the opposite direction.

to switch to an opposite opinion.

Origin of about-face

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65

about face

(used as a military command to perform an about-face).

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65

Asked to explain the about-face, Bush blamed the shifting political sands.

Are Republicans the New Democrats? |Andrew Romano |March 7, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
Yet such an about-face seems unlikely, at least according to one rank-and-file Brotherhood member.

Deaths of Gaber Salah, Islam Masoud Signal Egypt’s Dangerous Divisions |Alastair Beach |November 27, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
But such an about-face by the stubborn government seems unlikely.

Memogate Brings Pakistan to the Edge |Ron Moreau |January 16, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
Areheart thought this about-face happened because Jackson suddenly felt “terribly exposed,” in a way he had never done before.

When Jackie Met Jacko |William Kuhn |December 4, 2010 |DAILY BEAST

In eight months, you have done an about-face and taken this country in a much more sane direction.

A Prize With a Price |Michael Moore |October 9, 2009 |DAILY BEAST
He saluted and made an about-face as perfectly as he could in the shifting sand beneath his feet.

Lady Luck |Hugh Wiley
This was the first time in the history of the battery that it was necessary to shoulder packs to execute an about-face.

The Delta of the Triple Elevens |William Elmer Bachman
She had a strong desire to about-face and return to Harlowe House.

Grace Harlowe's Problem |Jessie Graham Flower
The Guards step forward, about-face, and the Color Guard wheels and returns to ranks.

Scouting For Girls, Official Handbook of the Girl Scouts |Girl Scouts
Just as they were starting into the hotel, a shout from Carl brought them all to a halt and an about-face.

Motor Matt's Red Flyer, or, On the High Gear |Stanley R. Matthews