42 Easy to Memorize English Idioms Related to School and Education

English Idioms Related to School and Education

1. PUT / GET YOUR THINKING CAP ONTo engage your mind and think in a serious manner.

• Right, we need to figure out how we’re going to solve this problem before mum and dad get back, so let’s put our thinking caps on!

2. DRAW A BLANK
To get no response from someone when they are asked a question.

• I asked him about his plans for Christmas, but I just drew a blank. He didn’t seem to understand what I was asking him!

3. BACK TO BASICS
An approach that uses traditional ideas and methods which have been successful in the past.

• They seem to prefer having everything back to basics in their office. They have minimal use of advanced technology, but apparently find everything simpler and easier to manage.

4. AS EASY AS ABC
Something that is very simple or easy.

• That jigsaw puzzle is as easy as ABC, I don’t understand why you’ve been struggling with it for so long.
• 5. COPYCAT
  Used to describe someone who copies another person’s work.
  
• I don’t like talking to her about my wedding plans because she’s such a copycat! I know she’ll steal my ideas and use them for her own wedding.

6. COVER A LOT OF GROUND
When a lot of work needs to be completed. If there is a lot of research to be done, or material to get through.

• Our team have done so well over the past two weeks, we’ve managed to cover so much ground that I feel this programmer9. DROP OUT OF SCHOOL (phrasal verb) / DROPOUT (noun)
  To stop attending school completely (leave without graduating).
  
• She dropped out of school at the age of 14 to help her sick grandmother at home, but now she runs her own successful nursing home for the elderly!
• He’s a dropout, I can’t see him being anything successful with his current reputation.

10. SHOW OF HANDS
Raising hands to vote about something.
With a show of hands, who would prefer to have longer working days but a shorter working week

• may be ready by the end of this month!
• We have to complete our research within the next month. We still have a lot of ground to cover, and I fear we may not get everything done in time.

7. COUNT NOSES
To count the number of people around you (generally used on a school trip, to check for missing students).

• My grandmother was constantly counting noses at the birthday party. I think she felt responsible for all the children there!

8. EAGER BEAVER
Someone who works hard and is very enthusiastic.

• Mary is such an eager beaver, she always the first one to do whatever the boss asks. I think she’s hoping for a promotion!
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11. LEARN (SOMETHING) BY HEART / OFF BY HEART
To memorise something so well, that it can be written or recited without thinking.

• I can’t believe you learnt the whole Macbeth play by heart! Well done!
• She learnt all the compositions by Beethoven off by heart!
• 13. FROM THE OLD SCHOOL / OF THE OLD SCHOOL
  Holding attitudes or ideas that were popular and important in the past, but which are no longer considered relevant or in-line with modern trends.
  
• She was a teacher of the old school and believed in strict discipline.
• My grandmother is from the old school, she made her children make their own lunches and walk to school.

14. THE SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS
Learning through difficult experiences in life, as opposed to a formal, classroom education.

• I wasn’t able to go to college, but I learnt a lot in the school of hard knocks, it taught me a lot about life.

15. A FOR EFFORT
Giving someone recognition for trying hard to do something even though they may not be successful.

• Jenny definitely deserves an A for effort, she put so much work into her entry for the competition.

16. SCHOOL SOMEONE IN SOMETHING
To train, discipline or coach someone in something.

• She schooled her brother in patience.
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