a volte-face

volte-face

A complete change of opinion or belief. The phrase comes from the Italian term voltafaccia, meaning "about-turn." Everyone was surprised when the candidate made a complete volte-face on her stance on taxes.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a volte-ˈface

(from French, formal) a complete change of opinion or plan: This represents a volte-face in government policy.This is a French adaptation of an Italian phrase and refers to turning to face the opposite direction.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • volte
  • volte-face
  • about-turn
  • scientia potentia est
  • rip
  • a word to the wise
  • rest in peace
  • how about
  • how/what about...?
  • sure as eggs is eggs
References in periodicals archive
ISLAMABAD -- Senate Standing Committee on Interior Chairman Rehman Malik on Monday made a volte-face on his position on permission for foreign diplomatic missions to take Pakistani passports out of the country for stamping visas and asked the interior ministry to revoke this arrangement immediately.
Permission for embassies to send passports abroad should be revoked: senator
in Football way short of a commitment to but a volte-face would be extraordinary.
Blues should just focus on present
Tyagi said Monday that it is the habit of the BJP to first create communal flare ups through their speeches, and then do a volte-face to get into the public's mind space.
Change of mind part of BJP's poll strategy: K.C. Tyagi
And the 21-year-old's words seem to underline the surprising maturity he has shown throughout the competition, a volte-face from moody to magnificent Mario.
Mario to sign off in style; IN BRIEF
Hills, who yesterday morning went 4-7 about Tevez not playing in the Premier League again for City this season, later did a volte-face about the revolting face and now go 4-7 that he will.
Tev ready for face off; RESULT!
Speaking to the media, Vijayan said that the entire episode of the CPM apparently doing a volte-face was a media creation.
CPM allows Achuthanandan to contest elections
Strains were visible during a parliamentary debate on the anti-graft Ombudsman Bill, when TMC did a volte-face and opposed certain provisions in the government-draft of the legislation.
Discussions to continue to resolve Indra Bhavan issue, says Pranab Mukherjee