Crossword Genius

American change of direction requires nerve after a fight (5,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

about face

'american change of direction' is the definition.

'nerve after a fight' is the wordplay.
'nerve' becomes 'face' (synonyms).
'after' says to put letters next to each other.
'fight' becomes 'bout' (as in a bout in boxing).
'a'+'bout'='about'
'face' put after 'about' is 'ABOUT-FACE'.

'requires' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for about face that I've seen before include "turnaround" , "180 degree turn" , "Reversal" , "U-turn" , "retreat" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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