volte-face
/vɒltˈfas
/ /vɒltˈfɑːs/noun
1An act of turning round so as to face in the opposite direction.Then, off to my right around 10 metres, the shark bent, twisted and went volte-face on a sixpence, gathering speed as it cruised back toward me.
2An abrupt and complete reversal of attitude, opinion, or position: a remarkable volte-face on taxes...
- This position is a volte-face for Great Britain.
- And this is one of the most striking aspects of this case: how it has forced the government into a volte-face over its public attitudes to doctors.
- They must rank as two of the most remarkable volte-face of all time, two sides desperate to confound stereotypes which have been self-fulfilling and self-perpetuating for as long as any of us can remember.
Origin
Early 19th century: from French, from Italian voltafaccia, based on Latin volvere 'to roll' + facies 'appearance, face'.