Turn Over a New Leaf?

Turn over what?  a leaf ? 
1. one of the expanded, usually green organs borne by the stem of a plant.

2. any similar or corresponding lateral outgrowth of a stem.

3. a petal: a rose leaf.

4. a thin sheet of metal: silver leaf

5. a unit generally comprising two printed, blank, or illustrated pages of a book, one on each side.

This is an appropriate idiom for the New Year, because it means to make a fresh start, or to try to develop new habits. The idiom comes from turning over the leafs, or pages, of a book. To 'turn over a new leaf' is to start on a fresh page. This idiom is often used in connection with someone who is trying to break a bad habit.

    Example: "Hector used to get into trouble with the principal, but he turned over a new leaf and now he's one of the best students in the school."

Happy New Year!