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

Guys this brazen are not suddenly going to get religion.

From New York Times • Dec. 29, 2017

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

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

From Time Magazine Archive

The next day I was greatly depressed, but made up my mind that I would get religion or break a blood vessel in the attempt;—and I nearly broke the blood vessel.

From What and Where is God? A Human Answer to the Deep Religious Cry of the Modern Soul by Swain, Richard la Rue