School and Learning Idioms
Idioms for studying, tests, lessons, writing, reading, knowledge, and learning from mistakes.
Browse school and learning idioms
Barking up the wrong tree
Accusing or pursuing the wrong person/idea; making a false assumption.
Burn the midnight oil
Work late into the night.
Call it a day
Decide to stop doing something, typically work, for the rest of the day.
Hit the books
Start studying with focus and dedication.
Jump on the bandwagon
Adopt a popular trend or join others in doing something.
Ace in the hole
A hidden advantage kept in reserve until it's needed.
Reading the tea leaves
Trying to predict the future based on subtle signs.
All bark and no bite
Someone who talks tough but is harmless or unlikely to act.
Bite the hand that feeds you
Harm or disrespect someone who supports you.
Break the bank
Spend all of one's money or exceed budget.
By the skin of your teeth
Barely or narrowly escaping failure.
Cut corners
To save time, money, or effort by skipping proper steps, often reducing quality or safety.
Duck and cover
React quickly to avoid danger.
Hit the ground running
Start with immediate energy and efficiency.
In the same boat
Sharing a similar situation with others.
Read between the lines
Identify hidden meaning.
Beat a dead horse
Waste effort on something already decided.
Between a rock and a hard place
Stuck between two negative options.
Dog eat dog
Intensely competitive and ruthless.
Hang by a thread
Be in a precarious situation.
Hear it on the grapevine
Learn news through unofficial channels.
Learn the ropes
Master the basics of a job.
Let someone off the hook
Release someone from responsibility.
On cloud nine
Extremely happy.
Push the envelope
Challenge limits or experiment beyond norms.
Read the room
Perceive the atmosphere or mood.
Keep your nose to the grindstone
Work diligently without distraction.
Play devil's advocate
Argue an opposing view for debate purposes.
Plain as day
Very obvious.
Roll with the punches
Adapt to difficulties gracefully.
Split hairs
Argue over trivial differences.
Under your belt
Gained experience or completed.
Butter up
Flatter someone to gain favor.
Add fuel to the fire
Make an already tense situation worse.
After the fact
Realized or addressed too late.
Another string to your bow
An additional skill or resource.
Dead heat
An exact tie in a contest.
On a whim
Act impulsively without planning.
Pay the piper
Face the consequences.
Bury the lede
Hide the most important information in a story or explanation.
Carry the day
Win the victory or gain the advantage.
Caught red handed
Caught in the act, especially while doing something wrong.
Clean slate
Start over without being judged for past mistakes.
Cream of the crop
The very best people or things within a group.
Dog days of summer
The hottest, most lethargic stretch of summer.
Easy as pie
Very easy to do.
Jump through hoops
Do complicated or unnecessary tasks to achieve something.
Know the ropes
Understand how something works.
Nip it in the bud
Prevent a problem before it grows.
On the up and up
Honest or improving.
Pay through the nose
Pay a very high price.
Piece of cake
Something that is very easy to do, especially compared with what was expected.
Read the handwriting on the wall
See the signs that something is going to happen.
Turn over a new leaf
Make a fresh start or change behavior for the better.
Back to square one
Return to the beginning after a failed effort.
Be careful what you wish for
Desires may produce unwanted consequences.
Light at the end of the tunnel
Sign of hope after a long difficulty.
Find your feet
Adapt to a new situation.
Rain on your parade
Disappoint or spoil someone's good mood or celebration.
Stand on your own two feet
Be independent and self-reliant.
Pour salt on the wound
Make someone feel worse after they are already hurt.
Bread and butter
The basic essentials or main source of income.
By the book
Follow the rules exactly.
Act your age
Behave at a maturity level expected for your age.
All systems go
Everything is ready for action.
In deep water
In serious trouble.
Pull up your socks
Improve your effort or performance.
Second nature
Automatic behavior due to practice.
You can't judge a book by its cover
Appearances can be deceiving.
The pen is mightier than the sword
Words are more powerful than violence.
Save your breath
Don't waste words trying to convince someone.
Hit the ceiling
Become extremely angry.