About face


What's the meaning of the phrase 'About face'?

Change direction.

What's the origin of the phrase 'About face'?

From the military command of the English Army – it is still used in the British Army today. The earliest citation that I can find is from Manoeuvres, or Practical observations on the Art of War, 1711, by the English soldier, Major William Young. Young explained the meaning of numerous commands, including:

To the Right Face! – Bring up the firelock, with a quick motion high before you, till your left hand comes even with your eye, with the fingers of your hand extended along the stock, just above the feather spring. The right foot to be brought close up to the left heel in this motion.

To the Right About Face! – As before, coming to the Right About, instead of to the Right.
[About meant ‘facing the opposite way’]

See also, ‘About turn‘.

Trend of about face in printed material over time

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.
About face

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