volte-face

[ volt-fahs, vohlt-; French vawltuh-fas ]

noun

, plural volte-face.

1. a turnabout, especially a reversal of opinion or policy.

volte-face

/ ˈvɒltˈfɑːs /

noun

1. a reversal, as in opinion or policy
2. a change of position so as to look, lie, etc, in the opposite direction

Word History and Origins

Origin of volte-face¹

First recorded in 1810–20; from French, from Italian voltafaccia, equivalent to volta turn ( volt ² ) + faccia face

Word History and Origins

Origin of volte-face¹

C19: from French, from Italian volta-faccia, from volta a turn + faccia face

Example Sentences

But in what appears to be a volte-face, Burke’s “Ignorance: A Global History” explores the myriad ways in which “not-knowing” affects our lives, sometimes for good, sometimes for ill.

From Washington Post

The volte-face leaves our protagonist with a very different legacy.

From New York Times

Although the judge said it was difficult to prove how much “moral damage” Santander’s volte-face caused Orcel, he said the bank’s withdrawal created “considerable frustration, uneasiness, uncertainty and a certain discredit in the banking world.”

From Reuters

Though his music certainly possesses a hostile streak — listen to the striking volte-face in his “Peterloo Overture,” as he depicts armed yeomanry descending on amassed protesters — Arnold never gave up on the power of melody.

From New York Times

What has happened since has been a testament to the volte-face Shaw's career has undergone.

From BBC