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turn over a new leaf

To engage in self-improvement; to begin a good habit or shed a bad habit.

Etymology:

  • Pages of the books were referred as leaves, back in 16th century. Turning the leaf over meant that starting a new lesson with a blank page. This expression also meant that one can change future behaviors and start something new just like starting a new page in your life’s book.
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Every year he resolves to turn over a new leaf and start exercising.

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Submitted on September 01, 2009

Modified by TriplePurple on April 22, 2024

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Recogitamus novum folium

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to turn over a new leaf

turn outturn roundturn someone's headturn one's coatturn the boatturn one's backturn outturn outturn outturn the cornerturn roundturn roundturn overturn out

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