flay the face and wash the heart

flay the face and wash the heart

Eliminate the old ideas and change the old appearance. This is a metaphor for a complete change and a new life.

Idiom explanation

[explanation]: remove the old ideas and change the old appearance. This is a metaphor for a complete change and a new life.

Idioms and allusions

[source]: "the change of the book of changes: the change of a gentleman's leopard, the change of a villain's face."

Discrimination of words

Usage: used as predicate and attributive; refers to complete repentance