Education Idioms

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ivory tower

Meaning: A place of intellectual isolation, where scholars or experts focus on theory rather than real-world issues.

Example: Professors in their ivory tower often debate theories with little regard for real-world applications. Read more ➺


smart cookie

Meaning: a person who is clever, intelligent, or sharp in thinking and problem-solving.

Example: Jane is a smart cookie; she solved the puzzle in minutes. Read more ➺


bluestocking

Meaning: a smart, educated woman who focuses on her studies, which some men do not like.

Example: She was often called a bluestocking because of her love for reading and discussing philosophy. Read more ➺


crash course

Meaning: a course in which lots of information is taught in a short period of time.

Example: We took a crash course in Spanish last summer to prepare for our trip to Spain. Read more ➺


on the drawing board

Meaning: in the initial planning or design stage.

Example: The manager raised the second item on his agenda, admitting it was still on the drawing board. Read more ➺


alma mater

Meaning: the school, college, or university that one attended or in which one has studied

Example: He was delighted when he was offered the position of professor of English at his alma mater. Read more ➺


tick off

Meaning: to make a mark next to items on a list that have been completed

Example: I would like to tick off some more items on my list before going home. Read more ➺


piece of writing

Meaning: the work of a writer, anything expressed in letters of the alphabet (especially when considered from the point of view of style and effect)

Example: The editorial was a fine piece of writing. Read more ➺


hit the books

Meaning: to study very hard

Example: I have an exam tomorrow, I need to hit the books tonight. Read more ➺


back to the drawing board

Meaning: back to the planning stage

Example: My experiment was a failure, so I'm back to the drawing board. Read more ➺


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