Hello and welcome to the English We Speak, where we're explained phrases used by fluent English speakers so that you can use them too.

I'm Faye and I'm with Phil.

Hi, any plans for 2025, Fifei?

It's a new year, so I think it's time to turn over a new leaf.

Turn over a new leaf? I'm not sure it's the right time of year to be doing gardening, Faye. It's time to turn over a new leaf. Turn over a new leaf?

I'm not sure it's the right time of year to be doing gardening, Fifei.

It's not that kind of leaf.

And it's just an expression.

It means to make a change and make a new start.

You stop doing something negative.

Turn over a new leaf is the expression we're learning in this program.

So it's a bit like making a new year's resolution?

Yes, the leaf in this expression is a leaf of paper, like a sheet of paper.

So to turn over a new leaf means to turn the page and start a new chapter of your story.

You're trying to move on from something negative.

For example, I've been feeling very inactive.

I've never managed to get into going to the gym,

but in 2025, I'm going to turn over a new leaf and get fit.

Phil, what about you?

Do you think you should turn over a new leaf? Turn over a new leaf for

2025. Maybe I should start eating more healthily. I love cooking, but nothing I cook is that healthy.

And I love to give myself huge portions. That's probably something negative that I should change. Yes, that's how I'm

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