tɜːrn ˈoʊvər ə nuː liːf
General
neutral
beginner
- Literally:
- Turning to a blank page
What does "turn over a new leaf" mean?
- To make a fresh start and improve behavior
- To change one's ways for the better
Examples
- He promised to turn over a new leaf after prison.
- New Year is a good time to turn over a new leaf.
- She's trying to turn over a new leaf with her diet.
Origin
From turning to a new page (leaf) in a book or ledger to start fresh. Used since the 16th century.
How to use it
Positive expression about personal improvement. Common for New Year resolutions.
Similar expressions
make a fresh start
reform
change for the better
start anew
Opposites
stay the same
continue bad habits
not change
Related idioms
- actions speak louder than words
What people do is more important than what they say
- better safe than sorry
It's better to be careful and prevent problems than to take risks
- so far so good
Things have gone well up to now
- easier said than done
Something is more difficult to do than to talk about
- make a long story short
To summarize or get to the point
- to make matters worse
In addition to existing problems
Use it in a practice answer
Try "turn over a new leaf" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.