(military) Alternative form of about-face

(Britain, military) Of a formation of soldiers, to reverse the direction in which they are facing; an about face. / (Britain, figuratively, idiomatic) A complete change of opinion, direction, etc.

(intransitive, military) To turn to face the opposite direction.

(transitive) To busy oneself with. / (intransitive) To tackle (a problem or task). / (intransitive) To circulate (in).

(idiomatic) Traveling; out; moving; engaged in day-to-day activities.

(idiomatic, informal) Approximately; at around some time.

(vulgar, slang) To waste time with unimportant activities, often used as an admonition to urge the other party to stop wasting time. / (markedly vulgar, slang, intransitive) To fool around.

(idiomatic) Approximately, very nearly.

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see about, time. / Close to the right time. / (idiomatic) Far past the desired time.

present participle of fool about