10 Back-to-School Phrases in English to Kickstart Your Learning

It’s September – which means for students across the UK and Ireland, it’s back to school for a fresh year of learning!

While the days of equations and detentions might be behind you, you’re never too old to learn something new.🎓📚

To mark the new academic year, we’ve collected 10 popular English phrases related to school and learning to help expand your vocabulary this month:

1) Hit the Books 📖

Meaning: Start studying seriously.

Got a test coming up and haven’t opened your textbook yet? It’s time to hit the books. Best to avoid actually hitting them, though – regardless of how frustrated you get.

2) Pass with Flying Colours 🏆

Meaning: Do extremely well on a test.

This phrase comes from 17th-century naval tradition. The ‘colours’ refer to a ship’s national flags, which were raised when ships returned from a victorious battle.

Got an A? Welcome home, hero.

3) Teacher’s Pet🍎

Meaning: A student who is the teacher’s favourite, often used in a negative way.

Every class has a teacher’s pet: always has their homework completed on time, knows the answer to every question, and somehow remembers the teacher’s birthday.

4) Ace Something⭐

Meaning: Do extremely well in a test, task, or challenge. 

You don’t need to be a teacher’s pet to ace an exam, but you do need to practise.

5) Know Something like the Back of Your Hand ✋

Meaning: Know something extremely well.

After enough practice, English grammar might finally stop looking like a collection of random rules designed to ruin your afternoon.

6) Get Your Head Down 📝

Meaning: Concentrate or work very hard.

Didn’t do well in a test? It’s time to get your head down and focus.

7) Put Your Thinking Cap On 🧠

Meaning: Think carefully about something.

Sometimes the right answer isn’t so obvious. Instead of rushing to Google, try putting your thinking cap on for a bit.

8) Get Your Head Around Something🤔

Meaning: Understand something difficult.

English grammar can be a lot to get your head around, but an English course can make it easier.

9) Brush Up on Something ✨

Meaning: Refresh or improve a skill you already have.

Sometimes it’s necessary to brush up on things you’ve already learnt – even if it’s the present tense.

Go Back to the Basics 🔤

Meaning: Return to the fundamental parts of a subject.

If you feel stuck in your English studies, try going back to the basics.

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