dietrofront

about-turn

noun dyeh-troh-FRONT Rare

Also means

U-turn

Usage Note

Dietrofront comes from the military command 'about turn' (dietro, 'behind' + front, 'front'). It is invariable (plural: i dietrofront) and masculine. Figuratively it means a complete reversal of position: fare un dietrofront ('to do a U-turn'). It is very common in political journalism.

Examples

"Il ministro ha fatto un dietrofront sulla riforma."

Natural Translation

The minister did an about-turn on the reform.

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