change one's stripes
change (one's) stripes
To radically or fundamentally shift one's opinion, ideology, or allegiance, especially in relation to politics. Often used in negative constructions. Derived from the phrase "a tiger cannot change its stripes," meaning that people are incapable of changing their essential nature. The former governor has changed her stripes regarding social welfare since leaving office. You're never going to convince Tom about this. A guy so set in his beliefs like Tom can't change his stripes.
See also: change, stripe
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
change one's stripes
see under leopard cannot change its spots.
See also: change, stripe
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
- change (one's) stripes
- change one's stripes/spots, cannot
- a month of Sundays
- for the life of
- mean (something) by (something)
- mean by
- take it with (one) (when one goes)
- take it with one
- anytime soon
- have it both ways