about face

Also found in: Thesaurus, Legal, Idioms, Wikipedia.

about′ face′

interj.

(used as a military command to perform an about-face.)

[1860–65]

a•bout-face

(n. əˈbaʊtˌfeɪs, əˈbaʊtˈfeɪs; v. əˌbaʊtˈfeɪs)

n., v. -faced, -fac•ing. n.

1. (in close-order drill) a 180° turn from the position of attention.

2. a complete change in position, direction or attitude.

v.i.

3. to perform an about-face.

[1860–65, Amer.]

Translations

demi-tour

Helt om!

References in periodicals archive ?

Consumers interested in receiving more information about FACE TO FACE: The National Domestic Violence Project can call 800/842-4546.

LifeCell Corporation and American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Commit to Help Heal the Scars of Domestic Violence

What's unique about faces in terms of our evolutionary history is that it's the only visual stimulus class where we had to make very fine discriminations," he says.

Familiar faces: "super recognizers" never forget a visage, an unusual ability that can be put to good use

She is combining cognitive psychology with techniques like brain imaging and electrophysiology to study how the brain processes information about faces.