change horses in midstream

change horses in midˈstream idiom

to change to a different or new activity while you are in the middle of sth else; to change from supporting one person or thing to another

leopard cannot change its spots

a leopard cannot change its ˈspots idiom

(saying) people cannot change their character, especially if they have a bad character

• You didn't really expect her to be on time, did you? A leopard can't change its spots. 

old habits die hard

old habits die hard spoken phrase

used for saying that it is difficult to change a way of behaving that someone has had for many years

adjustment

ad·just·ment AW [adjustment adjustments]   [əˈdʒʌstmənt]    [əˈdʒʌstmənt]  noun countable, uncountable
1. a small change made to sth in order to correct or improve it
• I've made a few adjustments to the design.

• Some adjustment of the lens may be necessary.

2. a change in the way a person behaves or thinks
• She went through a period of emotional adjustment after her marriage broke up.  
Example Bank:
• The dosage may need adjustment to suit the individual.
• The mechanic made the necessary adjustments to the engine.
• The process of adjustment to life in another country can be very difficult.
• There was a long period of adjustment under the new boss.
• a cut of 1.5% in real terms (after adjustment for inflation)
• a few minor adjustments to the schedule
• adjustments in the exchange rates

• I've made a few adjustments to the design.

amendment

amend·ment AW [amendment amendments]   [əˈmendmənt]    [əˈmendmənt]  noun
1. countable, uncountable a small change or improvement that is made to a law or a document; the process of changing a law or a document
• to introduce/propose/table an amendment (= to suggest it)
• Parliament passed the bill without further amendment.

• ~ to sth She made several minor amendments to her essay.

2. Amendment countable a statement of a change to the Constitution of the US
• The 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote.  
Word Origin:
Middle English (in the sense ‘improvement, correction’): from Old French amendement, from amender, based on Latin emendare, from e- (variant of ex-) ‘out of’ + menda ‘a fault’.  
Culture:
In the US the first ten amendments to the Constitution are called the Bill of Rights. Each amendment to the US Constitution needs a two-thirds majority in each House and must be approved by 75% of the states. 
Example Bank:
• He is simply exercising his First-Amendment rights.
• He moved an amendment limiting capital punishment to certain very serious crimes.
• In total 217 MPs backed the rebel amendment opposing the government.
• On a free vote, the amendment was carried by 292 votes to 246.
• Parliament accepted the amendment and the bill was passed.
• She withdrew her amendment and left the meeting.
• The Senate added numerous amendments to the bill.
• The amendment passed in 2001.
• The committee does not adequately consult others when drafting amendments.
• The new clause was accepted without amendment.
• The programme is subject to amendment.
• They have proposed an amendment to the federal constitution.
• a call to repeal the 22nd amendment to the Constitution
• a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage

• an amendment to the Clean Water Act

revolution

revo·lu·tion AW [revolution revolutions]   [ˌrevəˈluːʃn]    [ˌrevəˈluːʃn]  noun
1. countable, uncountable an attempt, by a large number of people, to change the government of a country, especially by violent action
• a socialist revolution
• the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789
• to start a revolution
• a country on the brink of revolution

see also  counter-revolution, revolt

2. countable a great change in conditions, ways of working, beliefs, etc. that affects large numbers of people
• a cultural/social/scientific, etc. revolution
• ~ in sth A revolution in information technology is taking place.

see also  Industrial Revolution

3. countable, uncountable ~ (around/on sth) a complete circular movement around a point, especially of one planet around another
• the revolution of the earth around the sun

see also  revolve

4. (also informal rev) countable a circular movement made by sth fixed to a central point, for example in a car engine
• rotating at 300 revolutions per minute
See also: rev  
Word Origin:
late Middle English: from Old French, or from late Latin revolutio(n-), from revolvere ‘roll back’, from re- ‘back’ (also expressing intensive force) + volvere ‘roll’.  
Thesaurus:
revolution noun
1. C, U
• The shooting of 30 people started a revolution.
coup • • uprising • • revolt • • rebellion • • mutiny • |formal insurgency •
a/an revolution/coup/uprising/revolt/rebellion against sb/sth
(a) violent revolution/uprising/rebellion
stage/lead a/an revolution/coup/revolt/rebellion/mutiny
2. C
• A technological revolution is taking place.
reversal • • turnaround • • a change of heart • |written sea change • |informal, especially journalism U-turn •
a revolution/reversal/turnaround/sea change /U-turn in sth
undergo a revolution/change of heart/sea change
represent a revolution/reversal/turnaround/change of heart
bring about a revolution/reversal/change of heart 
Collocations:
Politics
Power
create/form/be the leader of a political party
gain/take/win/lose/regain control of Congress
start/spark/lead/be on the brink of a revolution
be engaged/locked in an internal power struggle
lead/form a rival/breakaway faction
seize/take control of the government/power
bring down/overthrow/topple the government/president/regime
abolish/overthrow/restore the monarchy
establish/install a military dictatorship/a stable government
be forced/removed/driven from office/power
resign/step down as party leader/an MP/president/prime minister
enter/retire from/return to political life
Political debate
spark/provoke a heated/hot/intense/lively debate
engage in/participate in/contribute to (the) political/public debate (on/over sth)
get involved in/feel excluded from the political process
launch/start/lead/spearhead a campaign/movement
join/be linked with the peace/anti-war/feminist/civil rights movement
criticize/speak out against/challenge/support the government
lobby/put pressure on the government (to do sth)
come under fire/pressure from opposition parties
Policy
call for/demand/propose/push for/advocate democratic/political/land reform(s)
formulate/implement domestic economic policy
change/influence/shape/have an impact on government/economic/public policy
be consistent with/be in line with/go against/be opposed to government policy
reform/restructure/modernize the tax system
privatize/improve/deliver/make cuts in public services
invest (heavily) in/spend sth on schools/education/public services/(the) infrastructure
nationalize the banks/the oil industry
promise/propose/deliver/give ($80 billion in/significant/substantial/massive) tax cuts
a/the budget is approved/ (especially NAmE) passed by parliament/congress
Making laws
have a majority in/have seats in Parliament/Congress/the Senate
propose/sponsor a bill/legislation/a resolution
introduce/bring in/draw up/draft/adopt/pass a bill/a law/legislation/measures
amend/repeal an act/a law/legislation
veto/vote against/oppose a bill/legislation/a measure/a proposal/a resolution
get/require/be decided by a majority vote
more collocations at economy, voting  
Example Bank:
• As the 18th century wore on, an agricultural revolution took place.
• Doctors have welcomed the fitness revolution.
• He achieved a virtual revolution in the way music is recorded.
• How long does it take for the planet Jupiter to make a complete revolution around the sun?
• Jupiter makes a complete revolution around the sun every 12 years.
• Marketing has undergone a revolution in recent years.
• One full revolution of the knob will open the hatch.
• Some Marxists still believe that socialism will one day triumph through world revolution.
• The activists were charged with fomenting revolution.
• The coming of television brought about a revolution in people's leisure activities.
• The computer revolution has transformed the workplace.
• The earth turns through one complete revolution approximately every twenty-four hours.
• The last decade has seen a revolution in telecommunications.
• There has been a quiet revolution in the way writing is taught.
• There has been a revolution going on in farming during the last five years.
• Thousands of people were killed in the bloody revolution that toppled the government.
• a revolution against communist rule
• the failed 1911 revolution
• the revolution which overthrew the old regime
• The French Revolution brought about great changes in the society and government of France.
• The country appears to be on the brink of revolution.
• The disk rotates at up to 500 revolutions per minute.
• The revolution of the earth around the sun takes one year.
• The shooting and killing of thirty people started a revolution.

• a cultural/social/scientific revolution

metamorphosis

meta·mor·phosis [metamorphosis metamorphoses]   [ˌmetəˈmɔːfəsɪs]    [ˌmetəˈmɔːrfəsɪs]  noun (pl. meta·mor·phoses   [ˌmetəˈmɔːfəsiːz]  ;   [metəˈmɔːrfəsiːz]  ) countable, uncountable (formal)
a process in which sb/sth changes completely into sth different
Syn:  transformation
• the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly
• She had undergone an amazing metamorphosis from awkward schoolgirl to beautiful woman.  
Word Origin:
late Middle English: via Latin from Greek metamorphōsis, from metamorphoun ‘transform, change shape’.  
Example Bank:

• We studied the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly.