volte-face
noun /ˌvɒlt ˈfɑːs/
/ˌvɔːlt ˈfɑːs/
[singular] (from French, formal)- a complete change of opinion or plan synonym about-turn
- This represents a volte-face in government thinking.
- We were thrown into confusion by his volte-face.
Word Originearly 19th cent.: from French, from Italian voltafaccia, based on Latin volvere ‘to roll’ + facies ‘appearance, face’.