change one's stripes

change (one's) stripes

To radically or fundamentally shift one's opinion, ideology, or allegiance, especially in relation to politics. Derived from the phrase "a tiger cannot change its stripes," meaning that people are incapable of changing their essential nature. The former president has changed her stripes regarding social welfare since leaving office.

See also: change, stripe

change one's stripes

see under leopard cannot change its spots.

See also: change, stripe