get religion

Idioms  

1. Be converted; also, decide to behave in an upright, ethical way. For example, After the children were born, John got religion and joined the church, or After years of total selfishness, she suddenly got religion and is doing all kinds of volunteer work. [Second half of 1700s]

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Example Sentences

Sometimes before they die or stop running for office they get "religion" and try to do some good with new found perspective.

From New York Times • Dec. 12, 2017

Several pundits made hay yesterday attacking Smith personally, arguing that he waited till he made his millions to get religion, or that he only quit because he was consistently passed up for promotions.

From Time • Mar. 16, 2012

This, writes Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, is causing the coaches to suddenly get religion on the agent issue.

From New York Times • Jul. 22, 2010

"HellCat" Gantry, the black-maned campus bully with his boasted amours and loud contempt, get religion?

From Time Magazine Archive

I joined the church before I married 'cause I wanted to do better, do right and live right, and get religion.

From Slave Narratives: a Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves South Carolina Narratives, Part 1 by Work Projects Administration