did an about-face

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did an about-face" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a complete reversal of opinion, position, or direction, often in a sudden or dramatic manner. Example: "After much debate, the politician did an about-face on his previous stance regarding climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

He did an about-face.

The New York Times - Sports

I did an about-face and walked right out.

The New York Times - Food

Then, the same administration did an about-face.

The Guardian - Opinion

Grant the Republican critics this, too: Obama did an about-face.

The New Yorker

But the Commerce Ministry did an about-face at the end of last week.

The New York Times

So in the early 90's, she did an about-face.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

After a nervous jab at the seed, the bird did an about face and took off.

The New Yorker

But by the time the youngest was in grade school, she did an about face.

The New York Times

As it was, most of the reviews did an about face in the second paragraph and grudgingly allowed that Lebrecht's book had some merit.

The Guardian - Books

Last November, Munjal Shah made a fairly tough decision and did an about face on his startup, Riya.

TechCrunch

After erasing the morning's losses, the market did an about face, plunging sharply between 2 PM EDT and the close of trading.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context makes it clear who or what "did an about-face". Proper noun references are best for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "did an about-face" for minor adjustments or slight modifications. This phrase implies a complete reversal, not a subtle shift. Reserve it for situations where the change is dramatic and unexpected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did an about-face" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase, describing a complete reversal of direction, opinion, or policy. As Ludwig suggests, it signifies a significant change.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "did an about-face" is a common and generally correct idiom used to describe a complete reversal of opinion, direction, or policy. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it can be considered neutral in register, more formal situations may benefit from alternatives like "reversed their position" or "altered their stance". It's essential to reserve this phrase for situations where the change is truly dramatic and unexpected, avoiding its misuse for minor adjustments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did an about-turn

Synonymous with "did an about-face", using a slightly different phrasing.

reversed course

Emphasizes a change in direction, similar to turning back on a path.

made a u-turn

A more informal way to describe a complete reversal, often used figuratively.

changed their mind

Focuses on the alteration of a mental state or decision.

altered their stance

Highlights a shift in position or attitude, often in a debate or argument.

shifted their position

Similar to altering their stance, but can also refer to a physical shift.

switched gears

Suggests a change in approach or strategy, often in a business or project context.

retracted their statement

Specifically refers to taking back a previously made declaration or claim.

backpedaled on their decision

Highlights a retreat from a previous commitment or action.

reneged on their promise

Implies a failure to keep a commitment, which can be seen as a form of reversal.

FAQs

How can I use "did an about-face" in a sentence?

Use "did an about-face" to indicate a complete reversal of opinion, strategy, or direction. For example: "After initially opposing the proposal, the CEO "did an about-face" and endorsed it wholeheartedly."

What's a more formal alternative to "did an about-face"?

While "did an about-face" is acceptable in many contexts, a more formal alternative could be "reversed their position" or "changed their stance", particularly in business or academic writing.

Is it appropriate to use "did an about-face" in academic writing?

While not strictly inappropriate, "did an about-face" leans towards informal. Consider using a more neutral term like "altered their view" or "revised their opinion" for academic contexts.

What's the difference between "did an about-face" and "changed their mind"?

"Did an about-face" suggests a more public or official reversal, often involving a decision or policy. "Changed their mind" is a more general term that can apply to any change in thought or opinion.