U-turn

Meaning

Noun

1. A turn in a vehicle carried out by driving in a semicircle in order to travel in the opposite direction.
2. A reversal of policy; an about-face, a backflip.

Verb

1. To turn a vehicle in a semicircle so as to face the opposite direction.
2. To shift from one opinion or decision to its opposite.

Synonyms

about-face

about turn

flip-flop

volte-face

about-turn

U-ey

u-turn

turn

Etymology

U + turn, from the similarity to the shape of the letter U.