'A new broom sweeps clean'
I'm struggling a bit with this proverb, because I have 2 different explanations given:

1) Someone who is new in a particular job will do a very good job at first, to prove how competent he or she is.
2) said when someone new takes control of an organization and makes many changes

These two don't quite mean the same, do they?
btw, is it a typical Briticism or it's commonly understandable in both US and UK?

Question

'A new broom sweeps clean'
I'm struggling a bit with this proverb, because I have 2 different explanations given:

1)  Someone who is new in a particular job will do a very good job at first, to prove how competent he or she is.
2) said when someone new takes control of an organization and makes many changes

These two don't quite mean the same, do they?
btw, is it a typical Briticism or it's commonly understandable in both US and UK?

Answer

Hi Bartek: This is another example of an English idiom (it's understandable in Canada, too. The second meaning you listed is the most accurate. The "sweeps clean" part refers to making many changes.

Answer

To be honest I've never heard of this idiom. It's British you say? It's a new one on me.