turn over a new leaf; thoroughly repent and reform
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
to turn over a new leaf; to thoroughly repent and reform oneself; to make a fresh start
formalOriginally from the Book of Changes (Yi Jing). Literally 'wash the heart and change the face'. Also appears in the variant form 革面洗心. Implies a complete moral transformation and commitment to virtue.
Tā他
jué决
dìng定
xǐ洗
xīn心
gé革
miàn面
，
bù不
zài再
zuò做
huài坏
shì事
le了
。
He decided to turn over a new leaf and stop doing bad things.
Zhǐ只
yào要
nǐ你
xǐ洗
xīn心
gé革
miàn面
，
dà大
jiā家
hái还
shì是
huì会
yuán原
liàng谅
nǐ你
de的
。
As long as you thoroughly repent and reform, everyone will still forgive you.
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Chū出
yù狱
hòu后
，
tā他
chè彻
dǐ底
xǐ洗
xīn心
gé革
miàn面
，
zhǎo找
le了
yī一
fèn份
zhèng正
dàng当
de的
gōng工
zuò作
。
After being released from prison, he completely turned over a new leaf and found a legitimate job.
Zhè这
gè个
chéng成
yǔ语
chū出
zì自
《
Zhōu周
Yì易
·
Xì系
Cí辞
Shàng上
》
，
yì意
si思
shì是
xiāo消
chú除
xié邪
niàn念
，
gǎi改
biàn变
jiù旧
mào貌
。
This idiom comes from the 'Book of Changes' (Xi Ci I), meaning to eliminate evil thoughts and change one's old appearance.