idioms and word combinations about school

1. Top idioms and word
combinations about
school and education

2. Idiom #1 To draw the blank
O To draw a blank means to not be able to
remember something.
O “Julia tried to remember the answer to the
question, but she drew a blank.”
O “I know the answer, wait little bit, I will tell
you. Oh, sorry, I can not remember, I draw
the blank”

3. #2 to rack one’s brain
O To rack one’s brain means to think long
and hard about something.
O “I racked my brain, but I couldn’t think of a
good topic for my summerise.”
O “She racked her brain, but she couldn’t
remember how to pay the money for
utilities via terminal.”

4. #3 teacher’s pet
O A teacher’s pet is a student who is clearly
the favorite of the teacher and often
receives special treatment.
O “I know he’s the teacher’s pet now, but
that doesn’t mean he’ll be like that when
he’s a teenager.”
O “All the other students got mad when the
teacher’s pet reminded Mrs. Zh T that she
had given homework.”

5. #4 to pass with flying colors
O To pass with flying colors means to easily
accomplish something. We often use this
expression to talk about tests or exams.
O “It was such a hard test. I have no idea how
you managed to pass with flying colors.”
O “- How was she able to pass test with flying
colors?
O - She is just teacher`s pet!
O - The teacher is her pet! .”

6. #5 to ace
O To ace a test means to get an “A”, 5 or a
very high grade.
O “Sometimes I think my teacher is secretly
disappointed when we all ace his tests.”
O “-I aced the test but no one was happy
O - Everyone was disappointed because you
did not give the cheat sheet!.

7. #6 to bomb
O To bomb a test means to get a terrible
grade on a test.
O “Do you think Mrs. Ann will let us retake
the test if we all bomb it today?”
O “I got a 23% on the test! I’ve never
bombed a test like that.”

8. #7 to play hooky
O To play hooky is an informal expression
which means to miss school or work
without having a valid reason or excuse.
O “There’s a baseball game tomorrow at 2
p.m. We should play hooky and go see it.”
O “Let`s play the hooky, anyway she will not
check who is absent or present.”

9. #8 to hit the books
O To hit the books means to study.
O “Finals are next week and I haven’t even
started studying yet. I’d better hit the
books tonight.”
O “You should hit the book if do not want to
bomb the test!.”

10. #9 to pull an all-nighter
O To pull an all-nighter means to stay up all
night studying or working.
O “I’d recommend that you not pull an all-
nighter. It’s not good for your health.”
O “-We can’t pull an all-nighter without
coffee. I’ll make us a pot.
O - Bro, make for me a glass of whiskey, it
will help better”

11. #10 to cram
O To cram means to study a lot right before
a test.
O “This isn’t a test you can cram for. You
have to start studying for it weeks before.”
O “If you cram for a test, you may get a good
grade, but you’ll immediately forget what
you’ve learned as soon as the test is
over.”

12. #11 to burn the candle at both
ends
O To burn the candle at both ends means to
go to bed late and wake up early.
O “I think I’ll sleep until noon tomorrow. I’ve
been burning the candle at both ends and
could really use some rest.”
O “You should not burn the candle at both
ends bro, you might find big money but
you will use big health.”

13. #12 flunk/fail out
O To flunk/fail out means to be expelled from
an institution because of low grades or
poor performance.
O “Matt never went to class and eventually
flunked out of college.”
O “I have no idea how I’m going to tell my
parents that I’m in danger of failing out of
school.”