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Glite Dictionary
to sow the seeds of change

to sow the seeds of change

5.0
Start small actions that lead to change later
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : sembrar las semillas del cambio
  • By supporting local leaders, the NGO hopes to sow the seeds of change for future generations.

Examples

  • The new education program aims to sow the seeds of change in rural communities.

  • Her speech helped sow the seeds of change within the organization.

  • We must sow the seeds of change in our community.

  • The organization sowed the seeds of change last year.

  • The activists hoped to sow the seeds of change by organizing community workshops on sustainable living.

  • By introducing innovative teaching methods, she aimed to sow the seeds of change in the educational system.

  • The new policies are designed to sow the seeds of change for environmental conservation in our city.

Synonyms

to instill
vsto sow the seeds of change
  • US
71 4.8

To gradually make someone feel, believe, or value something

is about initiating a public process leading to change, not personal influence
to pave the way
vsto sow the seeds of change
56 3.7

Make it possible or easier for something to happen by getting things ready

is more about creating the initial change rather than easing its arrival
to sow
vsto sow the seeds of change
35 6.6

To cause an idea or feeling to grow among people

focuses more on starting wider future change rather than spreading feelings
to lay the foundation
vsto sow the seeds of change
34 3.9

To make things ready so something can succeed

is more about beginning the actual change rather than building the groundwork
to beget
vsto sow the seeds of change
19 7.9

To cause something to happen or exist

emphasizes initiating a process that leads to future change rather than direct cause
to sow the seeds of
vsto sow the seeds of change
  • Informal
2 6.3

To cause a small action now that brings bigger effects later

is the same meaning but expressed in a slightly different phrase

Antonyms

to halt
206 2.4

To stop moving or make something stop moving

How Likely

to spark
154 3.4
to sow the seeds of change
  • Informal
5.0
to propose
∞ 3.0

Surface Forms

sow the seeds of change infinitive
sowed the seeds of change past
sowing the seeds of change present participle
sows the seeds of change third person singular
sown the seeds of change past participle

Morphology

sow + the + seed + of + change

The meaning 'to begin a process that leads to change' is largely derivable from the constituents: 'sow' (to plant or instigate) + 'seeds' (initial small things) + 'change' (difference), using a familiar agricultural→social metaphor. Because the relation is metaphorical rather than strictly literal, some learners may need exposure to map planting to initiating change, but widespread cross-linguistic parallels make the expression partly transparent.

Etymology

Sow the seeds of change comes from farming, where to sow is to plant small seeds that later grow into big plants. So when people use it, they mean to start small actions that will 'begin a process' and 'lead to change' later.