new

be as clean as a whistle

1. if someone is as clean as a whistle, they are not involved in anything illegal. He hasn't got a criminal record - he's clean as a whistle.

2. to be very clean. The café's as clean as a whistle, and the food's excellent.

See also: clean, whistle

be as good as new

if something is as good as new, it has either been kept in the same good condition as when it was new, or repaired so that it is as good as it was then. The exterior of the building has been restored and it now looks as good as new.

See also: good

be new to the game

to lack any experience of a particular activity. I'd never interviewed anyone on television before. I was new to the game and needed all the advice I could get.

See also: game

break new ground

1. to do something that is different to anything that has been done before. We're breaking new ground in television comedy. You'll never have seen anything like this before.

2. to discover new information about a subject. So are scientists breaking new ground in their quest to discover what causes the disease?

See also: break, ground

breathe (new) life into something

to make something that was boring seem interesting again. Breathe new life into a tired old bathroom with a coat of brightly coloured paint in this season's exciting colours.

See also: breathe, life

give someone a new lease of life (British & Australian, American)

if something gives someone a new lease of life, it makes them happy or healthy and gives them new energy after a period of illness or sadness. The operation was such a success - it really has given her a new lease of life.

See also: give, lease, life

give something a new lease of life

to improve something that was old or old-fashioned so that it works better or looks better. I've had that blue sofa re-covered and it's really given it a new lease of life.

See also: give, lease, life

ground-breaking

1. break new ground - to do something that is different to anything that has been done before. It was with her ground-breaking, all-women production of Hamlet that she really established herself. (always before noun)

2. break new ground - to discover new information about a subject. This company has produced some ground-breaking research. (always before noun)

new blood

new people in an organization who will provide new ideas and energy. It's time we injected some new blood into this organization.

See also: blood

a new broom

a new leader of an organization who makes a lot of changes and improvements. There was a feeling that White had been in charge long enough and that what was needed was a new broom.

the new kid on the block (American & Australian, informal)

someone who is new in a place or organization and has many things to learn about it. Realizing I was the new kid on the block in this job, I was determined to prove myself.

See also: block, kid

a New Man (British & Australian)

a man who shows his belief in the equality of the sexes by helping his partner with the care of the children and by sharing the work that needs to be done in the house. I bet you Chris does at least half of the cooking and the housework. He's very much a New Man.

See also: man

open (new) doors

to give someone new opportunities. The success of that film opened new doors for him. (sometimes + for) Early results show that the new system would open doors to disadvantaged people. (sometimes + to)

See also: door, open

pastures new (British, American & Australian)

if someone goes to pastures new, they leave their job or home in order to go to a new one. Tom's off to pastures new. He's got a transfer to Australia.

See also: pasture

plumb new depths

to become even worse than before. Man's inhumanity to man has plumbed new depths in this conflict. Industrial relations had plumbed new depths, even for Hackney, with a series of disputes and strikes.

See also: depth, plumb

That's a new one on me! (informal)

something that you say when someone has just told you about a surprising fact or idea that you have never heard before. And you eat cheese and peanut butter together? That's a new one on me!

turn over a new leaf

to start behaving in a better way. Apparently he's turned over a new leaf and he's not drinking any more.

See also: leaf, over, turn

a whole new ball game

a completely different situation, often one which is difficult or which you know very little about. We'd done a lot of climbing in Scotland, but the Himalayas were a whole new ball game.

See also: ball, game, whole

You can't teach an old dog new tricks.

something that you say which means it is difficult to make someone change the way they do something when they have been doing it the same way for a long time. You're never going to teach your father at the age of 79 to use a computer. You can't teach an old dog new tricks, you know.

See also: can't, dog, old, teach, trick

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breathe (new) life into something

to bring ideas and energy to something. Changes in the performance have breathed new life into a show that seemed ready to close. He has promised to breathe new life into the organization.

See also: breathe, life

(as) good as new

in very good condition. There's a woman in Georgia who can take your favorite old toys or dolls and make them almost as good as new.

Usage notes: refers either to something that has been cared for very well or that has been recently repaired

See also: good

in a New York minute

very quickly. I would sell that car in a New York minute if the right offer came along.

Etymology: based on the idea that everything happens more quickly in New York City

See also: minute

a (whole) new ballgame

a completely different situation. The teenage world is a whole new ballgame for most parents.

a different ball of wax

the new kid on the block

a recent arrival. The Internet is still the new kid on the block in communications technologies.

See also: block, kid

a new lease on life

an opportunity to be successful or happy after having experienced a series of difficulties. The heart operation was a complete success and has given her a new lease on life.

See also: lease, life

open doors (to someone/something)

to provide new opportunities or possibilities. These days, it's cable TV that is opening doors to talented young people and giving them a chance to succeed. When I was a student, a college diploma was guaranteed to open doors.

open the door to something

See also: door, open

turn over a new leaf

to start behaving in a different way. Apparently he's turned over a new leaf and he's not drinking any more.

Usage notes: usually suggesting an improvement in behavior

turn the page

See also: leaf, over, turn