arse about face
Primarily used in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, this colorful idiom describes a situation where things are done in a completely wrong or reversed manner.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
C1General
(informal, idiomatic)Done in a completely wrong or backward manner.
Example
- You installed the shelves arse about face; the brackets should be on the inside.
C1General
(informal, idiomatic)Approached in a disorganized or confused way.
Example
- The project was managed arse about face, leading to numerous delays.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "arse about face":