JUNE 11, 2008 | What does "to do an about-face" mean?
To do an about face means to radically change one's mind, opinion, position, etc. The word comes from the language of the military and refers to the command "About face!" which basically tells soldiers to turn around to the opposite direction.
EXAMPLES: "The president told everyone he would support the bill, but he did an about face and withdrew his support."; "She isn't quite ready to do an about face on this issue." ( = She isn't ready to change her mind about this issue)
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