Colloquial Variant guide

arse about face

adj · adv · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adj

Meaning 1

Placed or arranged the opposite way to the way it should be.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Commonwealth, Ireland, UK, not-comparable, slang

Examples

  • No wonder it doesn't look right mate, you've got the whole thing arse about face.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Arranged in a confused or haphazard way; muddled.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Commonwealth, Ireland, UK, not-comparable, slang

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adv

Meaning 3

In a manner that is opposite to or the reverse of the way it should be, backwards.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Commonwealth, Ireland, UK, not-comparable, slang

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

adv

Meaning 4

In a confused or haphazard manner.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Commonwealth, Ireland, UK, not-comparable, slang

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.