box the compass
To make a complete reversal in stance or opinion.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He boxed the compass and now supports the plan.”
“After criticizing the policy for years, the politician suddenly boxed the compass and praised it.”
“The critic, having once called the novel 'unreadable,' boxed the compass in his later review, declaring it a masterpiece of modern literature.”
- 01
all points of the compass
Every direction; everywhere.
- 02
box clever
To act wisely.
- 03
box oneself into a corner
To create a predicament or problem for oneself; to do something that leaves one with no good alternatives or solutions.
- 04
box seat
A favorable vantage point.
- 05
box someone's ears
To slap someone on the side of the head, usually as an informal punishment.
- 06
come from a Cracker Jack box
To obtain or retrieve something that is useless, cheap or fake.
- 07
fetch a compass
To make a circuit; to take a circuitous route to a place.
- 08
get one's shine box
Used as an insult.
Last updated August 10, 2026