Military
About face
Meaning
1. A military command to turn when on parade. 2. A change from one’s previous position.
Examples
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.
Where did it originate?
1. USA. 2. British.
Where is it used?
Both meanings are widely used.
Hear the idiom spoken
More idioms about
How the idiom originated
Loose cannon
Meaning
Someone who is unpredictable and can cause damage by being reckless.
Examples
These negotiations with the Chinese are at a critical stage. Keep Jack out of it, he’s just the sort of loose cannon that would say the wrong thing and upset them.
Where did it originate?
Britain. 19th century.
Where is it used?
Hear the idiom spoken
How the idiom originated
Browse more Idioms
About the Author
Idioms
A-Z
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T UV W XYZ
Categories
AdageAgreementAmericaAnimalsAphorismAustralian originBiblicalBlueBodyBrass tacksBuildingBusinessChildhoodChildrenClicheClockClothesCockney rhyming slangColourComedyConflictCountryCrimeDanceDateDeathDisgustDrinkEducationEffortEmotionEuphemismExcellenceExcessFailureFamilyFirst worldFoodFrenchFruitGreek originHabitHairHappinessHonestyHousehold itemsHyperboleLanguageLatinLegalLocationLuckMadnessMedicalMilitaryMisfortuneMoneyMusicNameNatureNauticalNonsenseNumberPatiencePlaceProverbProverbialReduplicationRelaxationReligionRiskScienceSecretsSexShakespeareSlangSportStupiditySuccessSurpriseTechnologyThe human bodyTheatreTimeToolTravelTrickeryVehicleWaterWeatherWork
Suggest a new idiom