Expressions with “Change”

28+ Expressions with Change (Meanings and Examples)

Hello, dear English learners!  Change is one of those big themes in life — nothing stays the same forever, not even the weather in Britain! In English, we use loads of expressions with the word “change”. Some are everyday collocations, while others are colourful idioms that add personality to your speaking and writing. In this lesson, we’ll explore 28+ common expressions with change that English speakers use in everyday conversation, writing, and exams like B2 First and C1 Advanced.

Types of Change

Big / significant / considerable / revolutionary / drastic / important / major / radical change

Used to describe a large or extremely noticeable change.

• Mobile phones have undergone a revolutionary change in the past decade.
• I doubt they’ll last as a couple unless they make some major changes.
• The company went through a drastic change after the new CEO arrived.
• Complete / systematic / minor / long-term / short-term / sudden / gradual / seasonal change
• Used to show how the change happens.
• Gradual changes will bring more stability to the company.
• Everybody was surprised by a sudden change.
• Moving from winter to spring usually brings seasonal changes.

Change in Society & Nature

Climate change

Meaning: The long-term change in the planet’s climate due to human activity.

• The effects of climate change include more droughts, floods, and wildfires.
• Scientists are warning governments to take climate change seriously.

Bring about change

Meaning: to cause something to change. 

• The only way to bring about change in the company is to hire new people.
• Protests sometimes help bring about positive change.

Personal Life Changes

Career change

Meaning: switching to a different type of job.

• Paulie’s made a career change — she’s opening a restaurant!
• After twenty years in teaching, he’s ready for a career change.

A change for the better / worse

Used when something becomes better or worse.

• I believe this year will bring a change for the better.
• The weather is changing for the worse — look at those clouds!

A change of heart/mind

Meaning: to change your opinion or feelings.

• Sara planned to buy a new car, but she had a change of heart and bought a used one.
• UK Brexit change of mind appeared first on Cyprus Mail.

Change clothes/shoes

Meaning: put on different clothes or shoes. 

• I’m all wet — I need to change my clothes.
• These boots are killing me; I’m going to change my shoes.

Change trains/planes

Meaning: switch to a different train, plane, or route.

• We changed trains in Budapest.
• You’ll need to change planes in Frankfurt.

Change of scene

Meaning: a new environment or a short getaway.

• Everyone needs a change of scene sometimes.
• Let’s go to the countryside for the weekend — we need a change of scene.

Changing the Topic or Attitude

Change the subject

Meaning: move to a different topic in conversation.

• I don’t want to talk about it anymore. Can we change the subject?
• She quickly changed the subject when her exam results came up.

Change jobs

Meaning: get a new job. 

• Your job has too many hazards — you should change jobs.
• After the pandemic, many people changed jobs for better work–life balance.

Change your tune

Meaning: completely change your attitude or opinion.

• He was against the project, but he changed his tune when he saw the profits.
• She always changes her tune when her manager walks in.

Change your mind

Meaning: decide something different.

• At first, I didn’t want to go to the party, but then I changed my mind.
• You can still change your mind before signing the contract.

Change your ways

Meaning: behave better; improve your habits.

• If he wants to stay in this company, he’ll have to change his ways.
• She realised she needed to change her ways after missing several deadlines.