Idioms
a student who is clearly the favorite of the teacher and often receives special treatment
TEACHER’S PET
an exceptionally clever person
genius
sit/take an exam
do an exam
to leave school and no longer pursue a degree or diploma
TO DROP OUT
AS EASY AS ABC
Something that is very simple or easy
Giving someone recognition for trying hard to do something even though they may not be successful
A FOR EFFORT
could be just 50–100 words, oft en used for school work
composition
is a person who loves to read
BOOKWORM
exam papers from previous years
past papers
enrol on / take a course
do a course
an informal expression which means to miss school or work without having a valid reason
TO PLAY HOOKY
to complete a lot of material in a class or course
COVER A LOT OF GROUND
GOOF OFF / GOOF AROUND
To waste time, procrastinate
a collection of individual pieces of work; may include drawings and other examples of creative work as well as writing
portfolio
a disruptive student who often makes jokes instead of paying attention and doing their work
CLASS CLOWN
spend the maximum time studying
bury yourself in your books
do research, do a research project
carried out / conducted a research project
TO HIT THE BOOKS
To study
EAGER BEAVER
Someone who works hard and is very enthusiastic
To be reading a book.
HAVE ONE’S NOSE IN A BOOK
a long essay, oft en part of a course, usually thousands of words
assignment
to easily accomplish something with top marks
TO PASS WITH FLYING COLORS
intensively
in a very focused way
gave a lecture
do a lecture/talk
TO CRAM
to study a lot right before a test
Learning through difficult experiences in life, as opposed to a formal, classroom education.
THE SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS
a school where farming or agriculture is studied
COW COLLEGE
Ooops
Minus points
to easily succeed at something
TO BREEZE/SAIL THROUGH
know the subject inside out
know it completely
obtained / was awarded a diploma
get a degree/diploma
to stay up all night studying or working
TO PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER/ TO BURN THE MIDNIGHT OIL
To open a book to study
CRACK A BOOK
the special cap called a mortarboard and the robe that is worn during academic ceremonies such as graduation
CAP AND GOWN
like an assignment, but emphasis on student’s own material and topic
project
to get an “A” or a very high grade
TO ACE A TEST
first, rough version
first draft
obtain/acquire a qualification
get a qualification
TO PUT ONESELF THROUGH SCHOOL
to pay one’s own tuition
To call the names of a group of people (or students) and expect them to respond to show they are present.
CALL THE ROLL / TAKE THE ROLL
to move fast or work hard to reach someone or something that is ahead of you
CATCH UP TO (SOMEONE OR SOMETHING)
a long, research-based work, perhaps 10–15,000 words, for a degree or diploma
dissertation
to get a terrible grade on a test
a piece of paper with answers written on it that student use to cheat on a test
date by which you must hand in the work
deadline
leave the course
withdraw from the course
FLUNK/FAIL OUT
to be expelled from an institution because of low grades or poor performance
YOU CAN’T TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS
it is difficult to make someone change the way they do something when they have been doing it the same way for a very long time.
to count the number of people
COUNT NOSES
longer than a composition, more serious, hundreds or thousands of words
essay
a piece of paper with answers written on it that student use to cheat on a test
CHEAT SHEET
using other people’s work as if it was yours
plagiarism
send in applications
submit application
to ask a student to answer a question
TO CALL ON SOMEONE
A child or young person who thinks and talks like an older person who has more life experience.
AN OLD HEAD ON YOUNG SHOULDERS
to start thinking in a serious manner
PUT ONE'S THINKING CAP ON
Bingo
Free points
to go to bed late and wake up early
TO BURN THE CANDLE AT BOTH ENDS
diagram that lays out ideas for a topic and how they are connected to one another
mind map
give essays
hand in essays
someone who copies the work of another
COPYCAT
To train, discipline or coach someone in something.
SCHOOL SOMEONE IN SOMETHING
to receive official recognition and credits after passing a course without having a valid reason or excuse
GET CREDIT FOR (A COURSE)
a very long, original, research-based work, perhaps 80–100,000 words, for a higher degree (e.g. PhD)
thesis