New Year Idioms and What They Mean
A new year often feels like a fresh doorway—one that invites reflection, motivation, and the desire to make changes. People set goals, rethink old habits, and look for ways to move forward with renewed energy. Because this time is so strongly connected to beginnings and progress, a number of expressions have grown around it. New Year idioms capture the spirit of starting over, making improvements, and celebrating a new chapter.
Break new ground
Do something innovative or create something original.
Ring in the New Year
Celebrate the beginning of the new year.
Start from scratch
Begin something again with no preparation or previous progress.
Make headway
Make progress toward a goal.
Kick a habit
Stop a regular behavior, usually a bad one.
A clean slate
A fresh start with no past mistakes counted.
Start something off on the right foot
Begin something in a positive or successful way.
Turn over a new leaf
Change behavior for the better.
Turn a corner
Pass the most difficult part of a situation; begin to improve.
On the right track
Doing something correctly or heading toward success.
