Essential idioms and phrases for students
Check out these idioms and phrases, which can be used when talking about school and learning.
Bite off more than you can chew
Meaning: to take on more than you can handle
Example: I bit off more than I could chew when I signed up for the extracurricular activities after school.
Blow off steam
Meaning: to do something to get rid of stress, to do something to relax after a period of hard work
Example: After two weeks of exams Andrew and his friends went camping for the weekend to blow off steam.
Bookworm
Meaning: Someone who reads a lot.
Example: Everyone knows she’s a real bookworm so she only got books for her birthday.
Brainstorm
Meaning: to think of new ideas
Example: Annie didn’t have a clue how to get started with the project so she decided to brainstorm with her group.
Burn the midnight oil
Meaning: to work or read late into the night
Example: I had to burn the midnight oil to get ready for the test.
By heart
Meaning: from memory
Example: Jane knows all the idioms by heart.
Cut to the chase
Meaning: get straight to the point
Example: Cut to the chase – what’s your idea for the project?
Eager beaver
Meaning: someone who is enthusiastic about school or work and works very hard
Example: She’s such an eager beaver, she never missed a lesson and always does her homework.
Hit the books
Meaning: to study
Example: I can’t go out this weekend, I have to hit the books because an exam is coming up.
Piece of cake
Meaning: something easy
Example: This test was a piece of cake, I didn’t have to study so much!
Pitch in
Meaning: contribute, help out
Example: Although Mary was in our group she didn’t pitch in with the project.
Ring a bell
Meaning: sound familiar
Example: Ben didn’t cover all the material for the exam, most questions didn’t ring a bell for him.
Skip class
Meaning: not go to class
Example: Lee had to go to the doctor’s this morning so he skipped class.
Teacher’s pet
Meaning: a student who is favored by the teacher
Example: Nobody likes a teacher’s pet.
To be under the weather
Meaning: to fill ill
Example: I’m under the weather, I think I’ll skip class.
With flying colours
Meaning: with distinction, successfully
Example: I passed my final exam with flying colours.
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