10 Common Idioms for School

In today’s post, we share 10 common idioms about school. An idiom is an expression or phrase that has a meaning other than its literal one. This might sound confusing, so let us break it down.

There is literal language and figurative language. Literal language means that you mean exactly what you say. You use the usual meanings of the words you chose. Figurative language is the opposite. In figurative language, you use words in a different way from the usual meaning. Idioms are a part of figurative language. They are a figure of speech. Idioms are a creative way to be more descriptive and get your point across. Here is an example:

Idiom: to “break a leg”          Meaning (figurative): good luck

Example conversation: Person 1: “I will be performing in the play tonight.”   Person 2: “That’s great! Break a leg!”

You might be able to identify idioms in your native language. What are the most common ones? How do people use them? You may want to compare some of those phrases to the ones you find in American English. Idioms can be hard to learn in a second language. You will have to memorize and study the phrases until you are able to use them naturally.

So, why should you learn idioms? If you are learning English, your goal may be to be fluent in the language and sound more like a native English speaker. Learning idioms can you help you reach your goal. People use idioms in both formal and informal situations, in writing or conversation. If you are able to incorporate idioms into your English usage, your speech will sound more natural and closer to a native speaker. You will also be able to understand other speakers better. In addition, learning idioms may also help you understand the culture better. Some idioms are unique to certain regions of the country.

The idioms in this list are well-known phrases that you can use as you learn English. If you use these in class, you might even impress your teacher!

• To “hit the books” – to study hard
• To “learn (something) by heart” – to memorize something perfectly so that you can say it without thinking
• To “pass with flying colors” – to be extremely successful; to succeed easily
• To “draw a blank” – to not be able to recall information; to be unresponsive
• A “teacher’s pet” – a teacher’s favorite student; a student that receives better treatment from the teacher
• A “bookworm” – a person devoted to studying or reading
• A “class clown” – a student who tries to make other students laugh
• To “play hooky” – to be absent from school or other obligation without permission
• To “cram” – to study intensely over a short period of time, usually just before an exam
• A “show of hands” – a vote in which people raise their hand to show they are for or against something