The New Year is often a time for fresh starts, big plans, and hopeful promises. In English, there are many expressions and idioms that describe this New Year energy, and when that drive starts to fade, there are phrases to describe that reality, too.  Let’s explore some common ones, starting with positive expressions and moving toward phrases to describe when motivation fades.

A. Positive Expressions for Fresh Starts
1. Turn over a new leaf
Meaning: To make a fresh start and change your behavior for the better.
Tone: Positive, reflective, hopeful
Common use: Habits, lifestyle changes, personal growth
Example:

• This year, I want to turn over a new leaf and take better care of my health.
• After making many mistakes last year, he decided to turn over a new leaf.

This is one of the most popular idioms for New Year’s resolutions.

2. Start with a clean slate
Meaning: To begin again without past mistakes or problems affecting you.
Tone: Neutral to positive, often practical
Common use: Work, relationships, goals
Example:

• The New Year feels like a chance to start with a clean slate.
• They agreed to forget the past and start with a clean slate.

3. Set your sights on (something)
Meaning: To decide to achieve a specific goal.
Tone: Motivational and focused
Common use: Ambitions, career goals, long-term plans
Example:

• This year, she has set her sights on running her first marathon.
• I’m setting my sights on improving my English fluency.

4. Make a fresh start
Meaning: To begin again in a new or better way.
Tone: Warm and optimistic
Common use: Life changes, routines, mindset
Example:

• Moving to a new city helped him make a fresh start.
• The New Year gives us all a chance to make a fresh start.

B. When Resolutions Don’t Go as Planned
Of course, motivation doesn’t always last. English has plenty of expressions for that too.

5. Fall off the horse
Meaning: To fail or stop doing something after trying, especially a good habit.
Tone: Understanding, forgiving
Important note: Often used with advice to try again.
Example:

• I fell off the horse and stopped exercising after two weeks.
• Everyone falls off the horse sometimes—just get back on.

This idiom is especially useful because it implies that failure is temporary, and that one needs to "get back on the horse," meaning to quickly resume the activity or effort, rather than abandoning it. 

6. Break a promise
Meaning: To fail to do what you said you would do.
Tone: Neutral to negative
Common use: Commitments, resolutions, trust
Example:

• He broke his promise to wake up early every day.
• Many people break their New Year’s resolutions by February.

7. Go back to old habits
Meaning: To return to behaviors you were trying to change.
Tone: Slightly negative but very natural
Common use: Lifestyle habits, routines
Example:

• Despite her resolution, she went back to her old habits.
• It’s easy to go back to old habits when life gets busy.

8. Lose steam
Meaning: To lose energy, interest, or motivation.
Tone: Casual, conversational
Common use: Projects, goals, resolutions
Example:

• I was very motivated at first, but I slowly lost steam.
• Many people lose steam after the first month of the year.

C. Encouraging Expressions for Trying Again
Even when resolutions fail, English has kind, motivating expressions to keep going.

9. Get back on track
​Meaning: To return to your plan or goal after a setback.
Tone: Supportive and practical
Example:

• I stopped studying for a while, but I’m trying to get back on track.

10. Better late than never
Meaning: It’s better to do something late than not do it at all.
Tone: Encouraging, forgiving
Example:

• I restarted my resolution in March—better late than never!

Whether you turn over a new leaf, fall off the horse, or get back on track, these English expressions help you talk naturally about goals, and the very human process of trying to reach them. After all, New Year’s resolutions aren’t just about perfect success. They’re about intention, effort, and learning from setbacks. What have you set your sights on for 2026?

7. Go through hell and high water
Meaning: To face many difficulties or challenges

• She went through hell and high water to finish her degree.
• We had to go through hell and high water just to get the project approved.

8. In deep water
Meaning: In serious trouble or facing a difficult situation

• She’s in deep water after missing several important deadlines.
• I knew I was in deep water when I realized I’d lost my passport abroad.

9. An uphill battle
Meaning: A very difficult task that requires a lot of effort to succeed

• Convincing the board to approve the plan was an uphill battle.
• Learning English grammar can feel like an uphill battle for many learners.

​Idioms like these are fixed expressions, which means the words usually don’t change. To use them naturally and accurately, it’s best to read and hear them in context many times—and then try using them yourself in speaking or writing. The more you practice with them, the more accurate your usage will be.

Because we all get sick or suffer from some sort of emotional or physical adversity no matter our status in life, talking about hope and recovery is something we frequently do. There will also be lots of moments when we need to comfort friends and loved ones who are experiencing some setbacks.  Here’s a look at some common idioms around the topic of hope, being positive or about things getting better.
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1. Things are looking up
When someone says "things are looking up," they mean that the situation is improving. This idiom is often used after a period of difficulty, suggesting that better times are on the horizon.
Example: "After a tough year, things are finally looking up for the company."

2. To have come a long way
If you say that someone has come a long way, it means that they have made a lot of progress compared to when they first started. It could also mean that they have become really successful. 
Example: "From her beginnings just selling cookies to neighbors from her small kitchen, to now operating five bakeries in different cities, she has indeed come a long way."

3. To be back on one's feet
A person who gets back on their feet becomes healthy again after an illness or injury, especially if they are able to walk again or just physically able to move around. This expression can also be used to talk about recoveries in general, such as that of the economy or an industry.  
Example: "Grandma can't wait to get back on her feet and tending to her vegetable garden after a bout with pneumonia."

4. To turn the corner
"To turn the corner" means to pass a critical point in a process and begin to improve. It suggests that the worst is over and things will get better.
Example: "After the surgery, she’s finally turning the corner and starting to feel better."

5. To be on the mend
This idiom is more often used when talking about health but it can be applied to any situation that is improving after a setback. It implies a gradual process of recovery.
Example: "He’s been on the mend since the accident and hopes to be back at work soon."

6. To get one's groove back
This means to start to be happy, confident, or moving forward again after a difficult period. 
Example: "I am slowly getting my groove back and starting again after having to close my business last year."

7. To look on the bright side
Encouraging someone to "look on the bright side" means advising them to focus on the positive aspects of a situation rather than the negatives.
Example: "I know the vacation was canceled, but look on the bright side: we can save money for a bigger trip next year."

8.  To see the light at the end of the tunnel
This idiom suggests that a difficult or unpleasant situation is nearing an end, and that some improvement is expected to happen soon. It's like seeing a distant light after being in a dark tunnel, providing hope that the hard times will soon be over.
Example: "After months of recovery and therapy, she finally sees the light at the end of the tunnel."

9. ​"Hang in there"
To "hang in there" means to remain persistent despite difficult circumstances. This expression is said by itself as a form of encouragement to tell someone not to give up. 
Example: "The first few weeks on the job will be challenging but hang in there, keep learning how things are done, and you'll soon get more confident."
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10. On the up and up
When something is "on the up and up," it means it is steadily improving or becoming more successful. It’s often used in the context of business or personal progress.
Example: "Tourism is on the up and up, helping local restaurants and hotels to recover from the pandemic."

11. ​A silver lining
A "silver lining" refers to a positive aspect of a bad situation. This idiom encourages people to find something good even when experiencing something difficult.
Example: "Losing the job was hard, but the silver lining is that he now has time to pursue his passion."

These idioms can add color to our language and also serve as reminders to stay hopeful and positive. Whether we’re facing personal challenges or professional setbacks, these expressions help us voice out the belief that better days are ahead. When you find yourself or someone else in need of a little optimism, try out these idioms and share some positivity. ​

1. "To run circles around someone"
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When someone is said to "run circles around someone," it means that they show a remarkable level of skill, competence, or ability in comparison to another person. This idiom underscores the superiority or dominance of one individual over another in a specific skill or activity. It is often used to highlight the vast difference in capability between the two parties.

Examples:

• In the debate competition, Jannah ran circles around her opponent with her sharp arguments and extensive knowledge of the topic.
• On the basketball court, Michael Jordan could run circles around his competitors with his unmatched agility and shooting precision.

2. "To run around in circles"

Conversely, "to run around in circles" describes a situation where people or activities appear to be busy but lack purpose, direction, or progress. It conveys a sense of aimlessness, confusion, or inefficiency. When individuals or groups are said to be running around in circles, they may be doing or talking about the same thing without achieving meaningful results.

Examples:

• The project team has been running around in circles for weeks, discussing the same issues without making any decisions.
• During the emergency, the staff seemed to be running around in circles, unsure of what steps to take to address the situation.

​In summary, even though both idioms use the word “circles,” they actually mean totally different things and are used in different situations.

"To run circles around someone" is used when someone is way more capable or talented than another person.

"To run around in circles" describes when you’re super busy but not making any real progress. It implies  disorganization or aimlessness.

When you hear these idioms again, you'll be able to run circles around any possible confusion regarding their meanings!