turn over a new leaf

To begin anew; to change one's ways: “Since he was grounded, Larry has turned over a new leaf and does his homework every night.”

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Idioms and Phrases

Make a fresh start, change one's conduct or attitude for the better, as in He promised the teacher he would turn over a new leaf and behave himself in class . This expression alludes to turning the page of a book to a new page. [Early 1500s]

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April 23, 2024inveterate

[in-vet-er-it ]

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

turnover turn over in one's grave

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