A meerkat plays amongst the fallen leaves at Blair Drummond Safari Park near Stirling, Scotland. Photo: Andrew Milligan/PA
Today's Phrase
If you turn over a new leaf, you make a new start or change your behaviour.
For example:
I'm turning over a new leaf after Christmas – I'm going to stop smoking.
Matt used to get in trouble with the police regularly, but he's turned over a new leaf now.
You're always eating unhealthy snacks. Why don't you turn over a new leaf and buy some fruit instead?
Don't confuse it with
If you take a leaf out of someone else's book, you do as they would do, or copy their behaviour.
Stop misbehaving! Take a leaf out of your sister's book and sit quietly.
Interesting fact
Meerkats are sociable animals, which often live in large family groups. They are famous for standing on their rear legs and acting as a lookout for predators. Sometimes, even the noise from a passing aeroplane is enough to scare meerkats and send them diving for cover.
