When learning English, understanding idioms can be a fun and useful way to sound more natural. Idioms are phrases that do not always mean what the words say, but they are commonly used in everyday conversations. In this blog, we’re going to focus on idioms about school. 

These idioms are often heard in classrooms, among students, or when talking about education. Whether you are a student or just want to improve your English, knowing these 15 idioms about school will help you express yourself better and understand more of what others are saying!

15 IDIOMS ABOUT SCHOOL

1. Ace the test

Definition: The first one in the list of idioms about school means to do extremely well on a test or exam, often getting a perfect or near-perfect score.

Examples:

• I have studied all day and night in order to ace the English test next week.
• Our class monitor aced the final exam without much effort; she is really smart!

2. Bookworm

Definition: The next one is used to describe someone who loves reading or studying all the time.

Examples:

• Whenever I go to the library, I see her there; she is a real bookworm.
• The bookworm in the class always finishes the English assignments first. 

3. Burn the midnight oil

Definition: “Burn the midnight oil” means to stay up late studying or working, often to finish assignments or prepare for exams.

Examples:

• I have an important exam tomorrow, so now I have to burn the midnight oil. 
• We had to burn the midnight oil to finish all the homework the teacher gave us. 

4. Crack a book

Definition: This idiom means to open a book and start studying, often used in the negative to imply someone has not studied at all. 

Examples:

• You will definitely fail the exam if you do not crack a book soon.
• He passed the course without cracking a book the entire semester.

5. Cut class

Definition: Among idioms about school, this one is used when students skip a class without permission.

Examples:

• I regret cutting class yesterday; now I have to redo the quiz alone.
• If you cut class too often, your grades will suffer.

6. Draw a blank 

Definition: This idiom means to fail to remember something or to be unable to come up with an answer or solution, especially when expected to.

Examples:

• During the exam, I tried to recall the formula, but I completely drew a blank and could not answer the question.
• When the teacher asked me about the book we read last week, I drew a blank even though I had studied the material.

7. Hit the books

Definition: The phrase means to start studying seriously, which is used when someone needs to study or prepare for exams.

Examples:

• I need to hit the books if I want to pass the English test tomorrow.
• Summer’s over, time to hit the books again. 

8. Learn by heart

Definition: To learn something “by heart” is to learn or study something so much that you can remember it without looking at the notes. 

Examples:

• She learned the poem by heart and recited it perfectly in class.
• To be well-prepared for the upcoming exams, I have to learn everything by heart.

9. Learn the ropes

Definition: This is one of the idioms about school that can be used at the beginning of a new school year, which means to learn how to do something new.

Examples:

• It’s your first week at the new school, but no worries, you will learn the ropes soon.
• Once you learn the ropes of using this app, it will be much easier.

10. Pass with flying colors

Definition: One of the most common idioms about school that is used when students pass something with a very high score or easily.

Example:

• She thought the exams would be hard, but she passed with flying colors.
• Since he passed all exams with flying colors, she became the valedictorian.

11. Pop quiz

Definition: In the context of idioms about school, a “pop quiz” refers to a short, unexpected test a teacher gives to check students’ knowledge.

Example:

• Most of us did not get good grades this semester due to pop quizzes. 
• Everyone groaned when the professor announced a pop quiz.

12. Put on your thinking cap

Definition: This idiom refers to making an effort to think carefully and deeply, especially when solving problems or answering questions, and it’s often heard in schools.

Example:

• The students put on their thinking caps for the class discussion. 
• I will need to put on my thinking cap to solve this math problem.

13. School of hard knocks 

Definition: The phrase refers to learning valuable lessons in life through practical experience instead of traditional ways like learning at school or through books.

Examples:

• He did not go to college, but she learned through the school of hard knocks.
• Life has been his school of hard knocks, teaching him lessons the hard way.

14. Teach someone a lesson

Definition: This one means to show someone through experience why their actions were wrong, often by allowing them to face the consequences.

Examples:

• Failing the test taught him a lesson about the importance of being well-prepared.
• Skipping class taught her a lesson when she missed a key part of the course. 

15. Teacher’s pet

Definition: The idiom describes a student who is liked by the teacher and receives special treatment. This is one of the idioms about school used for negative meaning.

Examples:

• Everyone knows the monitor is the teacher’s pet; she is always getting the easy assignments. 
• We have a teacher’s pet in the class because our teacher seems to know everything happening here. 

Get Ready Before Getting Back To School

Now that you have learned these idioms about school, you are ready to start the new school year with confidence! These expressions will help you understand conversations, follow classroom instructions, and sound more natural in discussions. Armed with these idioms, you will be well-prepared to navigate challenges and make the most of the upcoming year.

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