compass

box the compass

1. To count off all 32 points of a compass in a clockwise order. Sailor! Box the compass for me, posthaste!
2. To completely reverse one's position or stance on something, such an issue, belief, argument, etc. After seeing so much evidence regarding climate change, I was forced to box the compass.
See also: box, compass

moral compass

That which serves or guides a person's knowledge, sense, or intuition of correct virtues, morals, or ethics. Our country's moral compass has surely gone awry in recent times, as our priorities seem now to favor the wealthy accumulating more wealth at the expense of any other concern.
See also: compass, moral
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

box the compass

Make a complete turnabout or reversal, as in With a change of ownership, the editorial page boxed the compass politically, now supporting the Senator . Originally this was (and continues to be) a nautical term, meaning "repeat the 32 points of the compass in order." In the early 1800s it began to be used figuratively.
See also: box, compass
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

box the compass

1. To name the 32 points of the compass in proper order.
2. To make a complete revolution or reversal.
See also: box, compass
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • box the compass
  • plot (something) on (something)
  • plot on
  • jump ship
  • moral compass
  • post haste
  • posthaste
  • post-haste
  • lumber off
  • at (one's) doorstep
References in periodicals archive
Compass Self Storage strives to make the storage experience streamlined and stress free by employing knowledgeable team members who help guide the customer through the entire process.
* New agents are offered healthcare benefits, a Compass credit card, bridge loans for their sellers, high commission splits, bonuses, marketing funds and stock options.
"We are thrilled to join an organization with a focus on its clients and their people that so closely aligns to Compass' mission of redefining health care," said Adam Johnson, president of Compass.
Complementing Compass's competitive First Officer compensation are increases for Captains that will allow Compass to remain among the leaders in Captain pay among comparable regional carriers.
Compass Coffee already specialises in providing as much Welsh produce as possible, and won this year's Food Awards Wales for best cafe/bistro.
Start at the top of the compass with Vision, or the north point on the compass, sometimes called true north.
Announcing the opening of bookings, Kevin Flynn, President and Managing Director, FCA India said, "To harness the great demand for the JeepEeA Compass, we have executed a customer outreach across 21 cities at 26 shopping malls across India.
The basic design of an aircraft's magnetic compass like the top one in the sidebar on the opposite page places two small magnets on a metal float inside a bowl of clear fluid similar to kerosene.
Do you remember the last time your compass was checked for accuracy on a compass rose or with a calibrated site compass?
3 November 2015 - US-based private equity fund Monomoy Capital Partners has completed the sale of US-based aluminium design and casting company Compass Automotive Group to US-based private equity firm the Shipston Group, Inc.
ABOVE: 11.28am, 15 December 2011, Compass bearing: 246[degrees]; BELOW: 4.39pm, 4 January 2014, Compass bearing: 202[degrees]
Vitals, a New Jersey-based firm that provides physician ratings to help consumers shop for medical care, has acquired price transparency company Compass Healthcare Advisers of Bedford.
Bristol, United Kingdom, October 17, 2014 --(PR.com)-- For their Ice Cold Gig 2014, Jagermeister returned to the expert support services of expedition company, Secret Compass, to help them stage their world-first gig on an iceberg.
Place the compass on the map so that its long edge connects the starting point with the destination.