Volte-face (/vɒltˈfɑːs/ or /vltˈfɑːs/) is a total change of position, as in policy or opinion; an about-face.

The expression comes from the French language.

In the context of politics a volte-face is, in modern English, often referred to as a U-turn (in the UK and US) or a flip-flop or about-face (US).

In politics

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In diplomacy

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In business

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  • New Coke replaced Coca-Cola's main product with one containing a different formula. After a public backlash, Coca-Cola reintroduced the original formulation.

In gender

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Notes

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  1. ^ Klein, Naomi (2007) The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism. New York: Picador. ISBN 978-0-312-42799-3.
  2. ^ Britannica: "The Allies' invasion of Italy and the Italian volte-face, 1943"
  3. ^ * Anouilh, Jean, et. al., Michel-Marie Poulain, Presses de Braun et Cie, 1953, p. 11.