CHANGE HORSES IN MIDSTREAM, CHANGE OF HEART, CHARMED LIFE, LEAD A: American English Idioms #38

CHANGE HORSES IN MIDSTREAM

A common translation of this phrase is “changing one’s mind in the midst of a course of action.” However, this translation does not account for the nuances of the phrase and its usage. The original Greek proverb is “metaphorical and depicts a battle scene where a general would switch horses just as his old horse had been killed.” As such, the saying is an idiom that means to change one’s path or strategy midway through a situation.

Adapting to the pressures of the moment, often with little time for careful consideration, can lead to a change in course that may be considered premature. The phrase “change horses in midstream” makes reference to this situation. In ancient times, crossing a river was a dangerous endeavor that could only be accomplished by getting off the horse and then crossing on foot. This is a metaphor for abandoning a plan before it’s been fully implemented and starting over again from scratch.

The phrase “change horses in midstream” is typically used to denote an unsuccessful change of strategies, or a change that is made too late. The phrase is often attributed to the Reverend Charles Finney (1792-1875), who was known for his eloquent preaching and famous sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”. His quote about changing after one has begun is illustrated best by the story of George Washington at Valley Forge (1777).

As one might infer from the phrase, change horses in midstream comes to mean changing course or behavior when the current idea, plan or action seems not to be working. It is sometimes used as an idiom to indicate initiating a change of leadership, for instance.

CHANGE OF HEART

A change of heart is an emotional transformation that is often accompanied by a change in conscience. The term most likely derives from the physical mechanics of blood flow. It can be caused by a sudden event, such as a traumatic experience or near-death situation, which causes a person to broaden their view and become more compassionate. Sometimes it can happen gradually throughout life as a person matures and evolves into someone who is more open to seeing things from other perspectives.

A change of heart is the act of changing one’s opinion or attitude, usually with regards to an issue. The phrase can also be used as an idiomatic expression for regret over losing something one once valued.

The term’s use dates back to at least the late 1600s, when Jonathan Swift wrote “I cannot change my heart” in his poem “The Lady’s Dressing Room.

Change of heart is a phrase used to describe the act of changing one’s opinion, point of view, or stance on an issue. A change of heart can be brought about by new information that conflicts with old information believed to be true, by experiencing something that contradicts beliefs or values, or by developing empathy for another person.

A change of heart is an event where a person who had previously been “OK” with an idea or decision, now has a different opinion. The change of heart often occurs because the person was persuaded by others and new evidence to come up with a different opinion on what they were previously okay with. Often times these changes in opinion are caused by heuristics, which are simple rules people use to make decisions quickly.

CHARMED LIFE, LEAD A

A person who leads a charmed life according to the Oxford Dictionary is one who experiences happiness and success. The person may have been born under a lucky star, blessed by fate or has attracted good luck with their actions.

The vernacular phrase “lead a charmed life” describes an individual who is seemingly always lucky and has the good things in life just come at them. It can also mean that they never have any bad luck or misfortune. This is often seen as a kind of blessing from God and many people who would be considered blessed might consider themselves as such with gratitude.

Some people have a charmed life, in which they experience few to no difficulties over the course of their lives. This translates to a higher level of happiness and success than those who do not lead a charmed life. In order for someone to lead a charmed life, they must be born into wealthy families, have strong social skills from an early age, and have high intelligence. The individual will also have few health problems because of their good genetics and lifestyle choices.

Leading a charmed life means that someone is lucky and that everything always seems to go their way. Someone who leads a charmed life might also be thought of as blessed.