turn over a new leaf
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
English
[edit]Etymology
[edit]Figurative by the same metaphor as with turn the page.
Pronunciation
[edit]Audio (General Australian): (file)
Verb
[edit]turn over a new leaf (third-person singular simple present turns over a new leaf, present participle turning over a new leaf, simple past and past participle turned over a new leaf)
- (idiomatic) To engage in self-improvement; to begin a good habit or shed a bad habit.
- Every year he resolves to turn over a new leaf and start exercising.
Synonyms
[edit]Antonyms
[edit]- (antonym(s) of “determination to do what is wrong or destructive”): break bad
Translations
[edit]to engage in self-improvement
|
See also
[edit]Further reading
[edit]- “turn over a new leaf”, in Cambridge English Dictionary, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: Cambridge University Press, 1999–present.
- “turn over a new leaf” in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Longman.
- “turn over a new leaf” (US) / “turn over a new leaf” (UK) in Macmillan English Dictionary.