Sea Change Meaning: What Does the Popular Idiom "Sea Change" Mean? • 7ESL

Sea Change Meaning: What Does the Popular Idiom “Sea Change” Mean?

Last Updated on March 11, 2020

There are many times in which the phrase sea change can be heard during a conversation. We are going to look at the meaning of this phrase as well as where the term came from in the first place. We will also be looking at some examples of the phrase being used in both sentences and conversations.

Sea Change

Sea Change Definition

The phrase sea change refers to a dramatic change of opinion or a transformation of views. Often times this change can have a huge effect on society as a whole.

Origin of the popular phrase

The idiomatic saying sea change can be attributed, like many phrases, to William Shakespeare who coined the term in his work The tempest.

“Sea Change” Examples

Example Sentences

You are likely to hear the term sea change in a variety of different contexts when listening to the English language. Here are some examples of sentences in which you may hear the term.

The first statement is being made by a journalist.

  • The politician has completely changed his mandate in a surprising sea change.

This next statement is being made by a religious leader.

  • We were surprised to realise the sea change in the community after our open door policy shown what we are about.

Other examples:

  • Recent years have witnessed a sea change in the fortunes of car safety as a marketable quantity.
  • A sea change has taken place in young people’s attitudes to their parents.
  • There will have to be a sea change in people’s attitudes if public transport is ever to replace the private car.

Conversation Examples

If you are curious to see how the term sea change might fit into a day to day conversation, here are some examples of what you might hear.

The first conversation is taking place between two friends.

  • Person 1: “The election is going to bring some big changes.”
  • Person 2: “Yes, especially if the left wing party wins.”
  • Person 1: “I don’t think they will, there would need to be a real sea change in the people for them to want to vote for them.”

This next conversation is happening between two staff members in the workplace.

  • Person 1: “So many people are leaving the company.”
  • Person 2: “Why is this happening?”
  • Person 1: “The bosses don’t care for the staff, and it will never be any different.”
  • Person 2: “You never know, there might be a big sea change.”

Other Ways to Say the Idiom

There are other ways in which you might say the term sea change. Here are some ideas of other things you might say which carry the same meaning.

  • Radical change
  • Paradigm shift
  • Fundamental change
  • Radical transformation
  • Big change

Sea Change Definition | Image

Sea ChangePin

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