box the compass
The term "box the compass" originates from navigation and has both a literal and idiomatic usage.
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Definition
C1Navigation
(technical, nautical)To name the 32 points of the compass in their correct order, usually starting from North.
Example
- During the test, the captain asked him to box the compass to prove his navigational skills.
C1General
(idiomatic)To completely reverse one's stance or opinion.
Example
- After much debate, he boxed the compass and decided to support the new policy.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "box the compass":
box upbox inbox offbow compassbox standardyellow boxbox kickcompass deflectionmagnetic compassblue boxbox and lockgreen boxcall boxred boxin a box