Change is a constant in life, and expressing it can be as tricky as adapting to it. Idioms, or phrases with meanings beyond their literal interpretations, offer a unique way to capture the essence of change.
In this guide, we’ll explore some idioms that beautifully encapsulate the concept of change. Get ready to enrich your language and convey transformations with these simple yet powerful expressions.
What is an idiom for change?
Idioms are phrases whose meanings can’t be understood from the individual words they contain. They often carry cultural or figurative significance.
When it comes to change, idioms provide a creative and concise way to express the complexities of transformation.
Let’s dive into the meanings of some idioms for change and see how they can be used in everyday language.
| Idiom | Meaning | Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Turn the Tide | Reverse a situation. | After a series of losses, the team finally turned the tide and started winning. |
| Shake Things Up | Make significant changes to the usual routine. | It’s time to shake things up in our morning routine and try something new. |
| Wind of Change | Sign that significant changes are coming. | The new manager brought a wind of change, introducing innovative ideas to the company. |
| Break the Mold | Do something differently from established norms. | Let’s break the mold and approach this project in a completely fresh way. |
| Ring the Changes | Make a series of changes. | The company decided to ring the changes in its marketing strategy for the upcoming year. |
| Turn Over a New Leaf | Make a fresh start. | After the breakup, Sarah decided to turn over a new leaf and focus on herself. |
| Blaze a New Trail | Do something innovative or groundbreaking. | Our team aims to blaze a new trail in eco-friendly technology. |
| Chart a New Course | Set a new direction. | After completing his degree, James decided to chart a new course in a different field. |
| Paint a New Picture | Present a new perspective or idea. | The artist wanted to paint a new picture of beauty, challenging conventional standards. |
| Shift Gears | Change focus or approach. | With the market trends evolving, the company had to shift gears to stay competitive. |
| Break New Ground | Do something that has never been done before. | The scientist aimed to break new ground in cancer research. |
| Set the Stage for Change | Prepare for upcoming transformations. | The announcement set the stage for change in the organization’s policies. |
| Take a Different Tack | Choose a different approach or strategy. | When faced with challenges, it’s essential to take a different tack to find solutions. |
| Open a New Chapter | Start a new phase or period. | Graduating from high school opens a new chapter in our lives. |
| Change Horses in Midstream | Make a significant change of plans. | Despite initial resistance, the team decided to change horses in midstream for better results. |
| Change the Game | Transform the way something is done. | The introduction of digital technology changed the game in the entertainment industry. |
| Set the Wheels in Motion | Initiate a process or change. | The decision to expand the business set the wheels in motion for a new era of growth. |
| Stir the Pot | Cause trouble or controversy. | Bringing up sensitive topics can sometimes stir the pot at family gatherings. |
| Change One’s Tune | Change one’s opinion or attitude. | After hearing the facts, he had to change his tune about the proposed project. |
| Move the Needle | Make a noticeable impact or difference. | Implementing the new policy will move the needle in improving employee satisfaction. |
| Break with Tradition | Abandon traditional practices. | The young couple decided to break with tradition and have a destination wedding. |
| Sea Change | Profound transformation. | The technological advancements brought about a sea change in how we communicate. |
| Change of Heart | Have a change in one’s feelings or attitude. | After understanding the situation, she had a change of heart and decided to support the cause. |
| See the Writing on the Wall | Understand that a change is imminent. | The poor sales numbers made it clear – it was time to see the writing on the wall and make adjustments. |
| Change One’s Stripes | Undergo a fundamental change in character or behavior. | Despite his reputation, he managed to change his stripes and become a responsible citizen. |
| Break the Status Quo | Disrupt the current state of affairs. | It’s time to break the status quo and introduce new policies for a better future. |
| Put a New Spin on Things | Present something in a different and refreshing way. | The marketing team decided to put a new spin on things to attract a younger audience. |
Metaphors can illustrate the concept of change, like comparing it to a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, transformed and ready to fly. To explore more metaphors for change, you can visit this link: Metaphors for Change. Similarly, similes provide comparisons that make change more relatable, such as saying it’s as swift as a river flowing downstream. Discover additional similes for change here: Similes for Change.
Idioms for Change
1. Turn the Tide
Meaning: To reverse a situation.
In a Sentence: After a series of losses, the team finally turned the tide and started winning.
2. Shake Things Up
Meaning: To make significant changes to the usual routine.
In a Sentence: It’s time to shake things up in our morning routine and try something new.
3. Wind of Change
Meaning: A sign that significant changes are coming.
In a Sentence: The new manager brought a wind of change, introducing innovative ideas to the company.
4. Break the Mold
Meaning: To do something differently from established norms.
In a Sentence: Let’s break the mold and approach this project in a completely fresh way.
5. Ring the Changes
Meaning: To make a series of changes.
In a Sentence: The company decided to ring the changes in its marketing strategy for the upcoming year.
6. Turn Over a New Leaf
Meaning: To make a fresh start.
In a Sentence: After the breakup, Sarah decided to turn over a new leaf and focus on herself.
7. Blaze a New Trail
Meaning: To do something innovative or groundbreaking.
In a Sentence: Our team aims to blaze a new trail in eco-friendly technology.
8. Chart a New Course
Meaning: To set a new direction.
In a Sentence: After completing his degree, James decided to chart a new course in a different field.
9. Paint a New Picture
Meaning: To present a new perspective or idea.
In a Sentence: The artist wanted to paint a new picture of beauty, challenging conventional standards.
10. Shift Gears
Meaning: To change focus or approach.
In a Sentence: With the market trends evolving, the company had to shift gears to stay competitive.
11. Break New Ground
Meaning: To do something that has never been done before.
In a Sentence: The scientist aimed to break new ground in cancer research.
12. Set the Stage for Change
Meaning: To prepare for upcoming transformations.
In a Sentence: The announcement set the stage for change in the organization’s policies.
13. Take a Different Tack
Meaning: To choose a different approach or strategy.
In a Sentence: When faced with challenges, it’s essential to take a different tack to find solutions.
14. Open a New Chapter
Meaning: To start a new phase or period.
In a Sentence: Graduating from high school opens a new chapter in our lives.
15. Change Horses in Midstream
Meaning: To make a significant change of plans.
In a Sentence: Despite initial resistance, the team decided to change horses in midstream for better results.
16. Change the Game
Meaning: To transform the way something is done.
In a Sentence: The introduction of digital technology changed the game in the entertainment industry.
17. Set the Wheels in Motion
Meaning: To initiate a process or change.
In a Sentence: The decision to expand the business set the wheels in motion for a new era of growth.
18. Stir the Pot
Meaning: To cause trouble or controversy.
In a Sentence: Bringing up sensitive topics can sometimes stir the pot at family gatherings.
19. Change One’s Tune
Meaning: To change one’s opinion or attitude.
In a Sentence: After hearing the facts, he had to change his tune about the proposed project.
20. Move the Needle
Meaning: To make a noticeable impact or difference.
In a Sentence: Implementing the new policy will move the needle in improving employee satisfaction.
21. Break with Tradition
Meaning: To abandon traditional practices.
In a Sentence: The young couple decided to break with tradition and have a destination wedding.
22. Sea Change
Meaning: A profound transformation.
In a Sentence: The technological advancements brought about a sea change in how we communicate.
23. Change of Heart
Meaning: To have a change in one’s feelings or attitude.
In a Sentence: After understanding the situation, she had a change of heart and decided to support the cause.
24. See the Writing on the Wall
Meaning: To understand that a change is imminent.
In a Sentence: The poor sales numbers made it clear – it was time to see the writing on the wall and make adjustments.
25. Change One’s Stripes
Meaning: To undergo a fundamental change in character or behavior.
In a Sentence: Despite his reputation, he managed to change his stripes and become a responsible citizen.
26. Break the Status Quo
Meaning: To disrupt the current state of affairs.
In a Sentence: It’s time to break the status quo and introduce new policies for a better future.
27. Put a New Spin on Things
Meaning: To present something in a different and refreshing way.
In a Sentence: The marketing team decided to put a new spin on things to attract a younger audience.
10 Quizzes About The Idiom in The Article
Quiz 1
Question 1: What does the idiom “Turn the Tide” mean?
a) To maintain the current situation.
b) To reverse a situation.
c) To turn in a circle.
Question 2: Can you use “Turn the Tide” in a sentence?
a) The team turned in a circle.
b) After a series of losses, the team finally __ and started winning.
c) The tide turned, but nothing changed.
Quiz 2
Question 1: What does the idiom “Blaze a New Trail” mean?
a) To create a fire on a path.
b) To follow the established route.
c) To do something innovative or groundbreaking.
Question 2: Provide a sentence using “Blaze a New Trail.”
a) The team followed the old trail.
b) Our team aims to __ in eco-friendly technology.
c) The trail blazed a fire.
Quiz 3
Question 1: What is the meaning of “Break the Mold”?
a) To create a new sculpture.
b) To do something differently from established norms.
c) To fix a broken object.
Question 2: Create a sentence using “Break the Mold.”
a) Let’s break the mold and __ this project in a completely fresh way.
b) The mold broke in the kitchen.
c) Stick to the mold and don’t change.
Quiz 4
Question 1: Define the idiom “Set the Wheels in Motion.”
a) To stop a moving vehicle.
b) To initiate a process or change.
c) To decorate a car with wheels.
Question 2: Use “Set the Wheels in Motion” in a sentence.
a) The car had no wheels in motion.
b) The decision to expand the business __ for a new era of growth.
c) Motion wheels are set.
Quiz 5
Question 1: What does “Change Horses in Midstream” mean?
a) To ride horses in a river.
b) To make a significant change of plans.
c) To bet on horse races.
Question 2: Construct a sentence with “Change Horses in Midstream.”
a) Stick to the current plan; don’t change horses.
b) Despite initial resistance, the team decided to __ for better results.
c) Horses can’t be changed midstream.
Quiz 6
Question 1: Explain the idiom “Shift Gears.”
a) To repair a vehicle’s transmission.
b) To change focus or approach.
c) To drive a car with different gears.
Question 2: Use “Shift Gears” in a sentence.
a) The car couldn’t shift gears.
b) With the market trends evolving, the company had to __ to stay competitive.
c) Gears shouldn’t be shifted.
Quiz 7
Question 1: What is the meaning of “See the Writing on the Wall”?
a) To write on the wall.
b) To understand that a change is imminent.
c) To ignore warnings.
Question 2: Create a sentence using “See the Writing on the Wall.”
a) Write your message on the wall.
b) The poor sales numbers made it clear – it was time to __ and make adjustments.
c) Walls are meant for writing.
Quiz 8
Question 1: Define the idiom “Move the Needle.”
a) To sew fabric.
b) To make a noticeable impact or difference.
c) To play a record.
Question 2: Construct a sentence with “Move the Needle.”
a) The needle moved during sewing.
b) Implementing the new policy will __ in improving employee satisfaction.
c) Needles can’t move.
Quiz 9
Question 1: What does the idiom “Break with Tradition” mean?
a) To create a new tradition.
b) To abandon traditional practices.
c) To follow traditions closely.
Question 2: Use “Break with Tradition” in a sentence.
a) Stick to the tradition; don’t break it.
b) The young couple decided to __ and have a destination wedding.
c) Tradition should be broken.
Quiz 10
Question 1: Explain the idiom “Stir the Pot.”
a) To cook soup.
b) To cause trouble or controversy.
c) To leave a pot unstirred.
Question 2: Provide a sentence using “Stir the Pot.”
a) Pots shouldn’t be stirred.
b) Bringing up sensitive topics can sometimes __ at family gatherings.
c) Cooking requires pot stirring.
Conclusion
Language is a powerful tool, and idioms add an extra layer of richness to our expressions. These idioms for change serve as vibrant snapshots of transformation, allowing us to convey the excitement and unpredictability that change brings.
