Phrase guide
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
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
noun
A 180° turn; an about-turn.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Singapore
Topics: government, military, politics, war
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To make an about-turn; more precisely, to turn 180 degrees clockwise, then stomp one’s left foot.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Singapore, invariable
Topics: government, military, politics, war
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To turn around and retrace one’s steps (e.g., when one has lost their way or gone in the wrong direction); to turn around and run away (e.g., from a problematic situation).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Singapore, Singlish, humorous, informal, invariable, often
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Unadapted borrowing from Malay ke belakang pusing, a military drill command used in the Singapore Armed Forces, meaning to “turn and face the rear”, i.e., to turn 180 degrees and face the other way.
