New Year’s resolutions are all about setting goals, improving yourself, and starting fresh. Whether you want to study harder, learn new things, or be more active, resolutions give you a chance to make positive changes.

But have you ever thought about adding new English idioms to your resolution list? Learning idioms is a great way to improve your English and sound more like a native speaker.

Here are 20 useful idioms to inspire your goals and help you talk about New Year’s resolutions!

New Year’s Resolutions Idioms

1. Start From Scratch

Meaning: To start something from the very beginning.

Examples:

• I failed my project, so I’ll start from scratch this year.
• Let’s start from scratch and do this correctly.
• After my vacation, I need to start from scratch with my studies.

2. Turn Over a New Leaf

Meaning: To make a positive change in your life.

Examples:

• This year, I’ll turn over a new leaf and eat healthier.
• He wants to turn over a new leaf and stop being late.
• Let’s turn over a new leaf and study every day.

3. Break the Ice

Meaning: To start a conversation or make people feel comfortable.

Examples:

• I’ll join a new class and break the ice with my classmates.
• He told a joke to break the ice at the party.
• New Year’s parties are great for breaking the ice with new people.

4. Bite Off More Than You Can Chew

Meaning: To take on more than you can handle.

Examples:

• Don’t bite off more than you can chew with too many resolutions!
• She bit off more than she could chew by taking five classes.
• I want to achieve my goals, but I won’t bite off more than I can chew.

5. Hit the Ground Running

Meaning: To start something with a lot of energy and enthusiasm.

Examples:

• I want to hit the ground running with my New Year’s resolutions.
• He hit the ground running on his first day at work.
• Let’s hit the ground running and finish this project quickly!

6. Keep Your Chin Up

Meaning: To stay positive during difficult times.

Examples:

• Learning English is hard, but keep your chin up!
• She didn’t pass the exam, but I told her to keep her chin up.
• When things go wrong, just keep your chin up and try again.

7. Go the Extra Mile

Meaning: To do more than what is expected.

Examples:

• I’ll go the extra mile to improve my English this year.
• Teachers love students who go the extra mile.
• He always goes the extra mile to help his friends.

8. Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day

Meaning: Big achievements take time and patience.

Examples:

• Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Keep practicing!
• She studies a little every day because Rome wasn’t built in a day.
• Don’t give up on your goals; Rome wasn’t built in a day.

9. Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Meaning: What you do is more important than what you say.

Examples:

• Don’t just talk about your resolutions; remember, actions speak louder than words.
• He says he’ll study, but actions speak louder than words.
• Show your effort because actions speak louder than words.

10. Burn the Midnight Oil

Meaning: To work or study late into the night.

Examples:

• I’ll burn the midnight oil to finish my assignments.
• He always burns the midnight oil before exams.
• Don’t forget to sleep, even if you’re burning the midnight oil.

11. Get the Ball Rolling

Meaning: To start something and keep it going.

Examples:

• Let’s get the ball rolling on our resolutions!
• I need to get the ball rolling on my English practice.
• She started her homework to get the ball rolling.

12. A Clean Slate

Meaning: A fresh start or new beginning.

Examples:

• New Year’s Day feels like a clean slate.
• After the holidays, I’ll start with a clean slate.
• Every Monday is a clean slate to do better.

13. Put Your Best Foot Forward

Meaning: To try your best.

Examples:

• I’ll put my best foot forward in my English class.
• He always puts his best foot forward in new projects.
• Start the year by putting your best foot forward!

14. Practice Makes Perfect

Meaning: The more you practice, the better you get.

Examples:

• Learning English takes time, but practice makes perfect.
• She repeats her vocabulary daily because practice makes perfect.
• Don’t give up on grammar; practice makes perfect.

15. Hit the Books

Meaning: To study hard.

Examples:

• It’s time to hit the books and prepare for exams.
• He promised to hit the books after New Year’s.
• She stays home to hit the books every weekend.

16. Keep Your Eye on the Prize

Meaning: Stay focused on your goal.

Examples:

• I’ll keep my eye on the prize and pass my exams.
• He works hard to keep his eye on the prize.
• Don’t get distracted; keep your eye on the prize.

17. Step Up Your Game

Meaning: To improve or do better.

Examples:

• I’ll step up my game in English this year.
• She needs to step up her game in school.
• Let’s step up our game and reach our goals!

18. Bite the Bullet

Meaning: To do something difficult or unpleasant.

Examples:

• I need to bite the bullet and practice speaking.
• He bit the bullet and asked for help.
• Don’t be scared; just bite the bullet!

19. Make the Cut

Meaning: To meet a standard or requirement.

Examples:

• I need to work hard to make the cut in my English class.
• She made the cut for the team with her effort.
• He practices every day to make the cut.

20. Keep Your Head Above Water

Meaning: To manage difficult situations.

Examples:

• It’s hard to study, but I’m keeping my head above water.
• She worked hard to keep her head above water during exams.
• He’s struggling but keeping his head above water.

Nail Idioms and New Year’s Resolutions with ELSA Speak!

Learning idioms can feel like a challenge, but with the right tools, it becomes a breeze. If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to speak English more naturally, the ELSA Speak app is here to help!

With ELSA, you can practice your pronunciation, master idioms, and make them a natural part of your everyday conversations. Whether you’re tackling idioms for your English class, preparing for work, or just looking to sound more confident, ELSA is the perfect companion for your language goals.

Make this year the one where you conquer your New Year’s resolutions and impress everyone with your language skills. Download ELSA Speak today and start speaking like a pro! 🎉

Keep on reading about idioms here