掉头

• Pinyin: diào tóu
• Hanzi breakdown: 掉 = 扌+ 卓 (to turn, reverse); 头 = pictograph of a head (direction, front end)

Meaning

To turn around; to do a U-turn. Literally to reverse direction of movement; figuratively to abruptly change one's position, policy, or stance.

Literally used for vehicles making U-turns or people turning back. Figuratively describes a sudden reversal in policy, negotiation stance, or market direction. Common in political, financial, and driving contexts. Implies a sharp, sometimes unexpected change of course.

Examples

1. 司机发现前方道路因施工封闭，立即在最近的路口掉头，另选一条畅通的绕行路线前进。 When the driver realized the road ahead was closed for construction, he immediately made a U-turn at the nearest intersection and took a clear detour route instead.
2. 谈判进行到关键阶段，对方代表突然掉头，拒绝接受此前已经基本达成共识的核心条款。 As negotiations reached a critical stage, the other side’s representative suddenly reversed course and refused to accept the key terms that had basically already been agreed on.
3. 股市的走势在毫无预兆的情况下急剧掉头向下，令众多信心满满的投资者措手不及，损失惨重。 The stock market’s trend suddenly turned sharply downward without warning, catching many confident investors off guard and causing heavy losses.

Usage Guide

Context: driving, politics, finance, everyday speech

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 行情在触及阶段性高点后迅速掉头，市场情绪从极度乐观瞬间转为恐慌性抛售。(The market reversed sharply after reaching a stage high, with sentiment shifting instantaneously from extreme optimism to panic-driven selling.)
• 这条单行道不允许掉头，请按导航提示绕行至下一个路口再调整方向。(U-turns are not permitted on this one-way street — please follow the navigation and detour to the next junction to change direction.)

Don't Say

• 他掉头同意了 — contradictory; 掉头 implies reversing course, not agreeing; use 转变立场同意了 or simply 改变主意同意了 to express a change toward agreement

Origin & History

掉 (to turn, flip, reverse) + 头 (head; direction, front)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal