turnabout
C1-C2Formal, literary, journalistic.
Definition
Meaning
A sudden and complete reversal of a situation, policy, opinion, or behavior.
A fair or reciprocal arrangement where two parties take turns; can refer to a merry-go-round or carousel (archaic/playground usage).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word strongly implies a complete change to the opposite direction or stance, often viewed as dramatic, unexpected, or ironic. The related phrase "turnabout is fair play" is more common in everyday speech than the standalone noun.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or definition differences. The term 'about-turn' is a common British alternative for the core meaning.
Connotations
Slightly more common in UK political/journalistic contexts.
Frequency
Low-frequency in both dialects, with similar usage patterns.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] a turnabout: perform, execute, stage, achieve, represent[adjective] turnabout: dramatic, complete, sudden, remarkable, shockingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “turnabout is fair play”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Describes a major shift in corporate strategy or market position.
Academic
Used in historical/political analysis to denote a reversal in policy or ideology.
Everyday
Most commonly encountered in the fixed idiom 'turnabout is fair play.'
Technical
Rare; potentially in game theory or negotiation studies.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The minister was forced to turn about on the issue after the scandal.
American English
- The company had to turn about its policy following customer backlash.
adverb
British English
- He swung the boat turnabout to face the current.
American English
- She spun turnabout and marched out of the room.
adjective
British English
- The turnabout maneuver caught everyone by surprise.
American English
- They celebrated their turnabout victory against all odds.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- In a surprising turnabout, the sun came out after a morning of heavy rain.
- The government's turnabout on tax policy was widely criticized by the opposition.
- The CEO's dramatic turnabout from advocating for remote work to mandating a full office return stunned employees.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a car doing a U-TURN and spinning ABOUT. A 'turnabout' is a complete U-turn in circumstances.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIRECTION IS OPINION/POLICY (a change of direction = a change of stance), LIFE IS A JOURNEY (a reversal on the path).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation as 'поворот' which is too generic. 'Коренной перелом' or 'полная перемена' are closer. The idiom 'turnabout is fair play' is similar to 'каков привет, таков и ответ' but not identical.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing it with 'turnaround' (which focuses more on improvement). Using it as a verb (the verb is 'to turn about' or 'to about-turn').
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase is a close synonym for 'turnabout' in a formal context?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Turnabout' emphasizes a reversal to the opposite position. 'Turnaround' focuses on improvement, recovery, or the process of completing a task.
Not commonly. The standard verb form is the phrasal verb 'turn about' or 'about-turn'. 'Turnabout' is primarily a noun.
It's a proverb meaning reciprocity is justified, dating back to at least the mid-18th century, suggesting that if someone treats you a certain way, you are entitled to respond in kind.
Yes, 'about-turn' (also 'about-face' in US military contexts) is more common in British English as a synonym for 'turnabout'. In the US, 'about-face' is more frequent.
Explore