turn over a new leaf
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Change conduct for the better.
Where it’s used:
Used
Widespread English
Examples
There is no indication that Hollywood is turning over a new leaf, free of bloodstains.
COMIC Mike Harding saw how Middlesbrough has turned over a new leaf at the weekend.
British National Corpus sentence via the MAGPIE corpus (CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Listed in Wiktionary’s “English idioms” category (retrieved 2026-07-29); definition pending editorial review. Figurative class: Metaphor (PIE-English corpus, CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-31).
Equivalents & related
Near equivalent
cải tà quy chính
to switch from sin to the right path; to mend one's ways; to turn over a new leaf
Tiếng Việt
Near equivalent
khởi sắc
(verb) to turn over a new leaf
Tiếng Việt
Near equivalent
mend one's ways
To change one's behavior to become better or more acceptable
English · via cải tà quy chính
Lighter cards are two steps away in the meaning graph — equivalents of equivalents, reached via the entry shown on the card.
Common questions
What does “turn over a new leaf” mean?
Change conduct for the better.
Is “turn over a new leaf” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.
What is the closest equivalent?
“cải tà quy chính” (Tiếng Việt) — near equivalent.