Idioms related to studying
At the beginning of the term, the listening exams felt impossible — people spoke too fast, and you missed key answers.
But in the final exam, you can follow the audio, predict answers, and keep up without panicking.
You’ve finally ____________ listening exams.
You’ve finally GOT THE HANG OF listening exams.
Two students are preparing for the same final exam.
One just shows up to class. The other reviews regularly, asks questions, and actively tries to improve.
The second student really __________ his studies.
The second student really APPLIES HIMSELF TO his studies.
You studied a lot, but during the exam you misunderstood several questions.
I __________ (answer) some questions correctly.
I might not have answered some questions correctly.
It’s the night before your history exam.
Your friends are texting, your phone keeps lighting up, but you turn it face down, open your notes, and focus for three straight hours.
You decide to __________ and revise properly.
You decide to GET YOUR HEAD DOWN and revise properly.
You sit down to revise for your English exam.
Ten minutes later, you’re checking messages, scrolling, opening random tabs… and your notes are still untouched.
Your phone is _____you_____ your revision.
👉 Your phone is deflecting you from your revision.
You walk out of the exam feeling unsure.
Some answers were good, others… not so much.
I __________ (pass) the exam.
I might/may pass the exam
It’s Friday.
You’ve had four exams this week, slept five hours total, and during your last exam you can barely concentrate on the final question.
By that point, you’re __________.
By that point, you’re RUNNING ON EMPTY.
You decide not to sleep and study all night before your chemistry exam.
During the test, you feel dizzy, can’t concentrate, and make silly mistakes.
That decision __________ you.
That decision backfires on you.
Before the exam, the teacher told everyone: “You can choose only ONE topic to prepare.”
You studied just one and ignored the others — and that was completely fine.
I __________ (study) all the topics.
I didn't have to study all the topics.
You finish your maths exam in half the time.
While others are still struggling with question 3, you’ve already checked your answers twice and handed it in calmly.
You __________ the exam.
You BREEZE THROUGH the exam.
It’s 1:30 a.m. before your biology exam.
You’re surrounded by notes, highlighting random things, trying to memorise everything at once because you didn’t study earlier. You’re __________ the exam.
You're cramming for the exam
The exam said: “Answer TWO questions only.”
You answered all of them and ran out of time.
I __________ the instructions more carefully. (read)
I should have read the instructions more carefully.
All year, your teacher kept correcting the same mistake in your essays: “Use formal linking words!”
By the time of the final exam, you automatically write “Furthermore, however, in addition…” without even thinking.
The teacher __________ formal writing __________ you.
The teacher DRUMMED formal writing INTO you.
The question paper might as well be written in another language.
You’re not reading. You’re just… staring into the void.
You’re __________ the paper.
You’re gaping blankly at the paper
She walked into the exam shaking, convinced she would fail.
She got one of the highest marks.
She __________ (worry) so much.
She needn't have worried so much