Wai_Wai  +  49825 Mon, 11 Oct 04 09:26 AM Say one did something wrong in the past. Now he realizes it is wrong and learns from the mistake. ""He will correct his behaviour"" and ""become good again."" [as many common options as possible] My idea is: Written (formal): I will mend my way start life again with a clean slate/sheet Spoken: {no idea} Wai_Wai Joined on Mon, Sep 27 2004 Full Member 125 I am NOT a native English speaker. Correct me if I make any mistake. Any comment is perfectly welcome. One idea: I advocate acronyms used at a min because: - difficulty to...

	Mister Micawber  +  49858 Mon, 11 Oct 04 03:11 PM 'To mend one's ways' -- (note plural) is good both spoken and written. 'To start life again with a clean slate' -- (I don't know 'sheet') is rather strong; it would refer to a very major change. 'To learn from one's mistake(s)' -- this is a good written and spoken phrase also. 'To shape up' -- this is a common informal expression. Other members can no doubt think of more. Mister Micawber Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004 Yokohama Veteran Member 30,789 'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.' Plurals

	Wai_Wai  +  49887 Mon, 11 Oct 04 06:09 PM Correct me if wrong. > 'To shape up' -- this is a common informal expression. To me, it appears to vary the meaning. "shape" means develop/improve. Eg: This working experience shapes me (up). It isn't necessarily related to one's initail wrongdoing and later correction of oneself. And I would like to ask if the word "mend" only can express the same meaning. Eg: I will mend myself, my habits, manners and start a new life again. Wai_Wai

	nona the brit  +  49930 Mon, 11 Oct 04 11:19 PM We can also 'turn over a new leaf', which I imagine comes from the fact that books have leaves of paper in them, so by turning over we move on to a fresh page. A new start. It is used about people who have decided improve their behaviour. nona the brit Joined on Wed, Sep 22 2004 England Veteran Member 11,713 The name says it all.

	CalifJim  +  50004 Tue, 12 Oct 04 08:34 AM I'll let Nona answer for herself, but I'll say that it is very common here in the U.S., in all forms except very formal writing. CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,395 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

	Mister Micawber  +  50011 Tue, 12 Oct 04 09:15 AM . . . And 'shape up' has two different idiomatic meanings, Wai Wai-- (1) get into good physical condition, and (2) to attain an acceptable standard of behaviour. AND for absolutely free, I'll give you in addition a popular remark: 'Shape up or ship out!' Mister Micawber

	Wai_Wai  +  50020 Tue, 12 Oct 04 10:32 AM But does 'shape up' implies "one did something wrong or had some bad behaviour in the past." Now one gave up wrongdoing or bad behvaiour? Correct me if wrong. You see: - mend - mend one's ways Had some problems of one's won previously (eg bad manner, bad behviour). Now one correct its imperfection or faults etc. - start (a new life again) with a clean slate/sheet - turn over a new leaf Did very wrong things, especially criminal. Now one will become a good man again. So I would like to ask if "shape up" carries such kinds of meaning. And what does "ship out" mean? Wai_Wai

	nona the brit  +  50042 Tue, 12 Oct 04 02:02 PM Clean slate/new leaf do not necessarily infer very bad behaviour previously, certainly not necessarily criminal. They just mean someone is making a fresh start and what has happened before does not matter now. For example, a child who perhaps was a bit naughty before, starts with a clean slate when they move to a new school. If a teenager does his best to avoid the bath then suddenly gets into personal hygiene when he gets a girlfriend, you could say he has turned over a new leaf. 'Shape up or ship out' is a saying that means to put things right or don't even bother being here - improve in the way I have told you or leave. nona the brit