Learning English can feel like a lesson that never ends. One thing that makes the journey both exciting and colorful is idioms. Idioms are expressions where the meaning cannot be understood just by looking at the words themselves.
For example, if someone says, “hit the books,” it has nothing to do with physically hitting a book—it simply means “to study hard.” Idioms bring life to language, helping speakers sound more natural and expressive.
When it comes to school idioms, they are especially useful. These expressions are often linked to studying, learning, teachers, and experiences in the classroom.
Whether you are a student, a teacher, or simply someone looking to improve your English, idioms about school can make your speaking and writing more engaging. They also help you understand movies, books, or conversations where people often use them informally.
So, let’s explore a collection of school-related idioms, grouped by themes, with meanings, examples, and reflections for practical use.
Did You Know?
The word “school” comes from the ancient Greek word scholē, which surprisingly meant “leisure” or “free time”! Over centuries, the word evolved to mean a place of learning. That’s why many idioms about school reflect both studying seriously and learning in life’s informal ways.
Idioms About Studying and Learning
Hit the books
Meaning: To study very hard.
Example: I have an exam tomorrow, so I need to hit the books tonight.
Similar idiom: Burn the midnight oil.
Reflection: Common in student life, often informal and casual.
Learn the ropes
Meaning: To understand how something works.
Example: It took me a week to learn the ropes at my new school.
Similar idiom: Get the hang of it.
Reflection: Often used in both school and work settings.
A quick learner
Meaning: Someone who understands things fast.
Example: Sarah is a quick learner, she solved the math problems in no time.
Similar idiom: Fast on the uptake.
Reflection: Used in formal and informal situations.
Old school
Meaning: Traditional style or method.
Example: Our teacher prefers the old school way of teaching with chalk and board.
Similar idiom: By the book.
Reflection: Used casually, sometimes to describe people too.
School of thought
Meaning: A group of ideas or opinions.
Example: There is a school of thought that believes exams should be optional.
Similar idiom: Way of thinking.
Reflection: Common in academic and professional discussions.
Learn by heart
Meaning: To memorize something completely.
Example: I learned the poem by heart for the school recital.
Similar idiom: Know by heart.
Reflection: Often used in classrooms or daily life.
Back to basics
Meaning: Returning to simple methods or foundations.
Example: When the students struggled, the teacher went back to basics.
Similar idiom: Start from scratch.
Reflection: Used in education, training, or even business.
Make the grade
Meaning: To reach the required standard.
Example: If you don’t study harder, you won’t make the grade.
Similar idiom: Cut it.
Reflection: Common in schools and workplaces.
Learn the hard way
Meaning: To gain knowledge through mistakes.
Example: I learned the hard way not to submit my assignments late.
Similar idiom: Experience is the best teacher.
Reflection: Used in daily conversations, often informal.
Idioms About Teachers and Rules
Teacher’s pet
Meaning: A student favored by the teacher.
Example: Everyone calls him the teacher’s pet because he always gets extra praise.
Similar idiom: Brown-noser.
Reflection: Often informal, sometimes teasing.
By the book
Meaning: To follow rules strictly.
Example: Our principal does everything by the book.
Similar idiom: Stick to the rules.
Reflection: Common in school and professional settings.
Put on your thinking cap
Meaning: Get ready to solve a problem.
Example: The teacher asked us to put on our thinking caps for the riddle.
Similar idiom: Rack your brains.
Reflection: Used in classrooms, but also playfully outside.
Learn from the best
Meaning: Gain knowledge from someone very skilled.
Example: She learned from the best—her professor is world famous.
Similar idiom: Trained under.
Reflection: Common in both formal and casual use.
The apple of the teacher’s eye
Meaning: A student greatly admired by the teacher.
Example: Anna is the apple of the teacher’s eye in math class.
Similar idiom: Golden child.
Reflection: Informal, often in schools.
Crack the whip
Meaning: To be strict and demand results.
Example: The teacher cracked the whip before the exams.
Similar idiom: Lay down the law.
Reflection: Used for authority figures in schools and work.
Call the roll
Meaning: To take attendance.
Example: The teacher called the roll at the start of class.
Similar idiom: Take attendance.
Reflection: Specific to classroom settings.
School of hard knocks
Meaning: Learning from life’s difficulties, not books.
Example: He didn’t go to college, but he graduated from the school of hard knocks.
Similar idiom: Life lessons.
Reflection: Often used in adult conversations, informal.
Gold star
Meaning: Praise or recognition.
Example: The teacher gave her a gold star for neat handwriting.
Similar idiom: Pat on the back.
Reflection: Common in childhood and education contexts.
Idioms About Students and Behavior
Bookworm
Meaning: Someone who reads a lot.
Example: She’s a real bookworm; you’ll always find her in the library.
Similar idiom: Nerd (informal).
Reflection: Casual, often friendly.
Copycat
Meaning: Someone who copies others.
Example: Stop being a copycat and write your own essay.
Similar idiom: Imitator.
Reflection: Informal, often used by children.
Pass with flying colors
Meaning: To succeed easily.
Example: He passed his final exams with flying colors.
Similar idiom: Ace the test.
Reflection: Common in school and competitive settings.
As easy as ABC
Meaning: Very simple.
Example: Solving that puzzle was as easy as ABC.
Similar idiom: Piece of cake.
Reflection: Daily life and classroom use.
Top of the class
Meaning: The best student.
Example: She worked hard and became top of the class.
Similar idiom: Number one.
Reflection: Mostly in school contexts.
Dropout
Meaning: Someone who leaves school before finishing.
Example: He was a college dropout who later started a business.
Similar idiom: Quit school.
Reflection: Used in education and biographies.
Show of hands
Meaning: A way of voting or responding by raising hands.
Example: Let’s have a show of hands—who wants pizza day at school?
Similar idiom: Raise your hand.
Reflection: Classroom and meetings.
Cut class
Meaning: To skip school without permission.
Example: They cut class to go watch a movie.
Similar idiom: Play hooky.
Reflection: Informal, usually among students.
Late bloomer
Meaning: Someone who develops skills later than others.
Example: He was a late bloomer but became a brilliant writer.
Similar idiom: Slow starter.
Reflection: Used in school and life contexts.
Idioms About Exams and Success
Put to the test
Meaning: To see how capable someone is.
Example: The final exams really put the students to the test.
Similar idiom: Trial by fire.
Reflection: Common in formal and informal usage.
Burn the midnight oil
Meaning: To study late into the night.
Example: I had to burn the midnight oil before the exam.
Similar idiom: Pull an all-nighter.
Reflection: Informal, student life context.
Head start
Meaning: An advantage at the beginning.
Example: She had a head start because she prepared early.
Similar idiom: Early bird.
Reflection: Education, sports, and business use.
Under pressure
Meaning: To be stressed due to expectations.
Example: Students are often under pressure before results.
Similar idiom: Feeling the heat.
Reflection: Daily life, school, and work.
Put your thinking cap on
Meaning: Concentrate on solving a problem.
Example: The teacher told us to put our thinking caps on for the puzzle.
Similar idiom: Brainstorm.
Reflection: Playful, mostly in schools.
Out to lunch
Meaning: Not paying attention or distracted.
Example: During class, he was totally out to lunch.
Similar idiom: Daydreaming.
Reflection: Informal, casual speech.
Straight A student
Meaning: A student who always gets the best grades.
Example: Maria is a straight A student in her school.
Similar idiom: Top student.
Reflection: School and academic contexts.
Learn one’s lesson
Meaning: To realize a mistake and avoid repeating it.
Example: After failing the exam, he learned his lesson.
Similar idiom: Wise up.
Reflection: Informal, common in school and daily life.
How to Use These Idioms in Daily Life
- Speaking: Use idioms in conversations with classmates, friends, or teachers to sound more natural. Example: Instead of saying I will study hard, say I need to hit the books.
- Writing: Add idioms to essays, creative writing, or blogs to make your language more expressive.
- Professional use: In workplaces, idioms like learn the ropes or make the grade are useful for presentations, teamwork, and communication.
Common Mistakes Learners Make With Idioms
- Wrong meaning:
❌ I hit the books yesterday (thinking it means literally hitting books).
✔️ I hit the books yesterday, because I had a test. - Mixing idioms:
❌ He passed with flying stars.
✔️ He passed with flying colors. - Overusing idioms:
❌ In every line of an essay, adding idioms can feel unnatural.
✔️ Use them naturally, only when they fit the context.
FAQs
1. What are idioms for school?
They are phrases connected to studying, teachers, exams, or learning, used to describe common situations in colorful ways.
2. Are school idioms formal or informal?
Most are informal, but some like school of thought or make the grade are common in academic or professional settings.
3. How can I remember idioms easily?
Practice them in short sentences, link them to real-life experiences, and use them in conversations.
4. Can idioms be used in exams?
Yes, but carefully. They can make your writing lively, but should not replace clear explanations.
5. What’s the difference between proverbs and idioms?
Idioms are fixed expressions with hidden meanings, while proverbs are traditional sayings that teach life lessons.
Conclusion
School is not only a place to study—it’s also a treasure chest of experiences and expressions. Using idioms for school helps you describe studying, teachers, exams, and daily student life in a fun and natural way.
From hitting the books to passing with flying colors, these idioms enrich your English and make conversations more engaging. So, the next time you want to talk about your learning journey, sprinkle in a few idioms and see how much more fluent and confident you sound!
