new lease on life

Idioms

A fresh start; renewed vigor and good health, as in Since they bought his store Dad has had a new lease on life. This term with its allusion to a rental agreement dates from the early 1800s and originally referred only to recovery from illness. By the mid-1800s it was applied to any kind of fresh beginning.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Estrella now credits 4o with giving him a new lease on life, helping him manage chronic pain and inspiring him to repair his relationship with his parents.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 2026

"So that's been really exciting and I haven't really told anyone. I have a new lease on life on court."

From Barron's • Nov. 6, 2025

Extending that strategy to Adams has now provided the New York City mayor with a new lease on life as he’s running for reelection.

From Slate • Feb. 12, 2025

Two weeks into her new lease on life, Swick said she heard about Hubbart and sat at home for a week, fearful that Hubbart was potentially moving to an adjacent property 300 feet away.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 5, 2024

That tide of food, water and rest that flowed through my weakened system, bringing me a new lease on life, also brought me the strength to see how desperate my situation was.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023