turn hostile; face-changing (opera)
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesverb
to suddenly turn hostile; to fall out with someone; to change countenance showing anger
Commonly used to describe sudden emotional shifts in interpersonal relationships, often implying the person becomes unrecognizably cold or hostile.
As soon as he turned hostile, he wouldn't even acknowledge his closest relatives.
The two people fell out over a trivial matter.
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The boss suddenly changed countenance, scaring everyone.
noun
face-changing (in Sichuan opera); rapid facial makeup change technique
technicalA signature stunt of Sichuan opera (川剧) where performers change colorful facial masks in quick succession, often instantaneously, to portray shifting emotions like fear, anger, or surprise.
Face-changing in Sichuan opera is one of the masterstrokes of traditional Chinese theater.
The performer completes the face-changing through rapid movements.
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He performed wonderful face-changing on stage.