Leaves change colour, fall, return, and begin again — no wonder they’ve inspired some of the most thoughtful expressions in English. From new beginnings to sudden shifts, leaf-based idioms capture the moments when life turns, twists, or starts afresh. These expressions grew from watching nature closely, where a single leaf can signal a season’s end or the start of something new.
Turn over a new leaf
Meaning: To start fresh or change your behaviour.
Example: After the holidays, she turned over a new leaf and organised all her notes.
Leaf through
Meaning: To quickly flip through pages.
Example: He leafed through the science textbook before the quiz.
Take a leaf out of someone’s book
Meaning: To follow someone’s good example.
Example: She took a leaf out of her friend’s book and began revising early.
Shake like a leaf
Meaning: To tremble with fear or nervousness.
Example: He was shaking like a leaf before stepping on stage.
Not a leaf stirring
Meaning: Total silence or stillness.
Example: The hallway was so quiet during study hour, not a leaf was stirring.
As green as a leaf
Meaning: Inexperienced or new at something.
Example: The new volunteer was as green as a leaf on her first day.
Dry as last year’s leaf
Meaning: Dull, lifeless, or lacking interest.
Example: His explanation was as dry as last year’s leaf.
Fall like autumn leaves
Meaning: To happen in large numbers or very quickly.
Example: Tickets for the fest fell like autumn leaves the moment sales opened.
Turn a leaf
Meaning: To make a small but meaningful improvement.
Example: He turned a leaf by arriving on time all week.
Rustle like leaves
Meaning: To whisper or move softly.
Example: The students rustled like leaves as they exchanged answers quietly.
In full leaf
Meaning: At your strongest or most active period.
Example: The team was in full leaf during the finals.
As fresh as a spring leaf
Meaning: Energetic and lively.
Example: After the midterm break, the class returned as fresh as spring leaves.
Leafy path
Meaning: A pleasant or peaceful route (literal or metaphorical).
Example: Her career took a leafy path, steady and calm rather than rushed.
A leaf turns
Meaning: A sudden change in attitude or situation.
Example: The leaf turned when the underdogs started scoring point after point.