Idiom

About face

What does "About face" mean?

1. A military command to turn when on parade. 2. A change from one’s previous position.

About face

1. USA. 2. British.

1. A military command to turn when on parade. 2. A change from one’s previous position.

Both meanings are widely used.

  • 1. Stand to attention! Present arms! About face! 2. Winston Churchill joined parliament as a Conservative and then did an about face and changed to the Liberals, before going about face again and re-joining the Conservatives.