about-face

短语

n. 向后转, 大改变 vi. 向后转, 作重大改变

发音

US /əˈbaʊtˌfeɪs/

词形变化

about-faces 复数 about-faces 三单 about-facing 现在分词 about-faced 过去式 about-faced 过去分词

别名

about face

释义与例句

n.
  1. 1.

    An abrupt turn to face the opposite direction.

    政治 军事

    The soldier did an about-face and marched off.

  2. 2.

    A reversal in direction; a reversal of attitude or opinion.

    比喻

    When Luke heard the news, he did an abrupt about-face on the policy.

v.
  1. 1.

    To turn 180 degrees to face the opposite direction.

    不及物

    The soldiers would about-face immediately after the order was given.

  2. 2.

    To change opinion or attitude drastically.

    A politician will about-face at the drop of a hat if he thinks there are votes in it.

词汇关系

名词

同义词 3

reversal about-turn volte-face

上位词 6

change reverse reversal turnaround reversion turnabout

下位词 1

undoing
动词

上位词 2

turn rethink

词源

From about + face, first attested in 1861, used in the imperative in the military.

来源：wiktionary