Have you ever thought about what it means to ‘put your thinking cap on’?
你有没有想过“戴上你的思维帽”意味着什么？

How is it possible to ‘pass with flying colours’?
怎样才能“飞黄腾达”呢？

This passage will help you decipher some of the confusing idioms surrounding school and education. With regular practice, you might just be able to use them in everyday speech yourself, and not ‘draw a blank’ when you hear someone else use them!
这篇文章将帮助你破译学校和教育中一些令人困惑的成语。有了常规的练习，你也许就可以自己在日常演讲中使用它们了，而当你听到别人使用它们时，你就不会“画蛇添足”了！

Just remember, although these idioms derive from terminology surrounding school and education, they can be used in everyday situations.
记住，尽管这些习语来源于学校和教育的相关术语，但它们可以在日常生活中使用。

English Idioms Related to School and Education
与学校和教育有关的英语习语

1. PUT / GET YOUR THINKING CAP ON
1.开动脑筋

To engage your mind and think in a serious manner.
令大脑和思维保持在思考状态。

Right, we need to figure out how we’re going to solve this problem before mum and dad get back, so let’s put our thinking caps on!
好吧，我们必须在父母回家前想出解决问题的办法，那就让我们开动脑筋！

2. DRAW A BLANK
2.一无所获/大脑一片空白

To get no response from someone when they are asked a question.
面对提问毫无反应。

I asked him about his plans for Christmas, but I just drew a blank. He didn’t seem to understand what I was asking him!
我问过他的圣诞计划，但是一无所获。他好像根本不明白我在问什么！

3. BACK TO BASICS
3.回复本原

An approach that uses traditional ideas and methods which have been successful in the past.
一种在过去有所成效的传统理念和方法。

They seem to prefer having everything back to basics in their office. They have minimal use of advanced technology, but apparently find everything simpler and easier to manage.
看上去他们更喜欢传统的办公方式。虽然他们鲜用先进技术，但是一切变得似乎更简单、更易于管理。

4. AS EASY AS ABC
4.不费吹灰之力

Something that is very simple or easy.
某事不值一提、非常简单。

That jigsaw puzzle is as easy as ABC, I don’t understand why you’ve been struggling with it for so long.
七巧板游戏如此简单，你怎么花这么久的时间还没搞定？

5. COPYCAT
5.模仿者

Used to describe someone who copies another person’s work.
描述模仿、抄袭他人作品者。

I don’t like talking to her about my wedding plans because she’s such a copycat! I know she’ll steal my ideas and use them for her own wedding.
我不想跟她谈论我的婚礼计划，她是个地地道道的模仿者！她知道了，一定会在自己婚礼上盗用我的创意。

6. COVER A LOT OF GROUND
6.许多事情需要完成

When a lot of work needs to be completed. If there is a lot of research to be done, or material to get through.
大量的工作、研究项目急需完成或材料等待审核。

Our team have done so well over the past two weeks, we’ve managed to cover so much ground that I feel this programme may be ready by the end of this month!
过去两周，我们小组进展迅速，处理了不少事情，也许这个项目月底就能完成！

We have to complete our research within the next month. We still have a lot of ground to cover, and I fear we may not get everything done in time.
我们必须在下月底完成这项研究。可是现在仍有很多工作没有完成，恐怕不能及时完成任务了。

7. COUNT NOSES
7.清点人数

To count the number of people around you (generally used on a school trip, to check for missing students).
用于清点人数（常见于郊游时清点学生以防遗漏）。

My grandmother was constantly counting noses at the birthday party. I think she felt responsible for all the children there!
外祖母常在生日聚会上清点人数。她一定认为自己对在场的每个孩子都有责任！

8. EAGER BEAVER
8.做事勤奋的人

Someone who works hard and is very enthusiastic.
做事勤奋、干劲十足的人。

Mary is such an eager beaver, she always the first one to do whatever the boss asks. I think she’s hoping for a promotion!
玛丽做事勤奋，无论老板提出什么要求，总是第一个冲锋陷阵。她一定是想得到提拔！

9. DROP OUT OF SCHOOL (phrasal verb) / DROPOUT (noun)
9.辍学（动词词组）/辍学生（名词）

To stop attending school completely (leave without graduating).
完全不上学（尚未毕业便离校）。

She dropped out of school at the age of 14 to help her sick grandmother at home, but now she runs her own successful nursing home for the elderly!
虽然她十四岁便辍学在家照顾生病的祖母，但是如今她成功经营了一家养老院。

He’s a dropout, I can’t see him being anything successful with his current reputation.
他是名辍学生，就现在而言，我看不出他能有什么出息。

10. SHOW OF HANDS
10.举手表决

Raising hands to vote about something.
对某事进行表决。

With a show of hands, who would prefer to have longer working days but a shorter working week?
举手表决，有谁支持延长工作日但缩短工作周期？

11. LEARN (SOMETHING) BY HEART / OFF BY HEART
11.用心学习某事

To memorise something so well, that it can be written or recited without thinking.
对某事十分熟悉，能够不假思索地默写或背诵。

I can’t believe you learnt the whole Macbeth play by heart! Well done!
你竟然记住了《麦克白》全部台词！真让人难以置信！干得好！

She learnt all the compositions by Beethoven off by heart!
她用心学习了贝多芬的所有曲目！

12. BOOKWORM
12.书呆子

This is used to describe someone who reads a lot, all the time.
形容某人一直读书。

You won’t be able to convince her to come out with us, she’s a real bookworm and will probably stay in to read!
你不必费力请她和我们一起去，她是个名副其实的书呆子，可能更想在家读书！

13. FROM THE OLD SCHOOL / OF THE OLD SCHOOL
13.因循守旧

Holding attitudes or ideas that were popular and important in the past, but which are no longer considered relevant or in-line with modern trends.
仍坚持过去流行的态度或主张，尽管其已不再符合现代社会发展趋势。

She was a teacher of the old school and believed in strict discipline.
她是个老派的老师，相信严师出高徒。

My grandmother is from the old school, she made her children make their own lunches and walk to school.
祖母是个传统的人，她要求儿女们自行准备午餐、步行去学校。

14. THE SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS
14.（有教育意义的）困苦经历

Learning through difficult experiences in life, as opposed to a formal, classroom education.
从苦难的生活经历学习，而非接受正规的课堂教育。

I wasn’t able to go to college, but I learnt a lot in the school of hard knocks, it taught me a lot about life.
我虽然未受过大学教育，但是困苦的生活经历同样使我学到很多，让我深刻理解了什么叫生活。

15. A FOR EFFORT
15.获得嘉奖

Giving someone recognition for trying hard to do something even though they may not be successful.
对某人的辛勤付出做出肯定，即便并未取得成功。

Jenny definitely deserves an A for effort, she put so much work into her entry for the competition.
詹妮在比赛中倾注了大量的心血，理应获得嘉奖。

16. SCHOOL SOMEONE IN SOMETHING
16.训练某人做某事

To train, discipline or coach someone in something.
训练、训导或指导某人做某事。

She schooled her brother in patience.
她耐心教导弟弟。

17. CUT CLASS / PLAY HOOKY / SKIP CLASS
17.逃课/逃学/逃课

When someone plays truant and does not go to their lessons.
某人旷课或逃学。

David has been cutting class again; I haven’t seen him in any of our French lessons for the past week!
大卫又逃课了，上周就没见他上过一节法语课！

They played hooky at college so they could be first in line for the concert tickets.
为买到音乐会第一排的演出票，他们不惜逃学。

The teacher told his parents that he’d been skipping classes! He’s not allowed to go out with us now.
老师告诉家长他们的孩子过去一直翘课！所以，这个孩子现在不能跟我们一起出来玩耍了。

18. SCHOOL OF THOUGHT
18.思想派别

A particular philosophy, or a way of thinking about something.
一种特定的理念或思考方式。

One school of thought holds that cats cause allergic reactions.
某学派认为猫能引起过敏反应。

19. TELL TALES OUT OF SCHOOL / TELL TALES
19.背后讲坏话/搬弄是非

To gossip or spread rumours.
八卦或传播流言蜚语。

I wish Gina wouldn’t tell tales out of school so much, people find it hard to believe anything she says now, even if she is telling the truth!
我真希望吉娜没有现在这么八卦，即便说真话，也没人愿意相信她！

20. YOU CAN’T TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS
20.老狗学不会新把戏

This means 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.
比喻长期养成的习惯，很难发生改变。

Jeremy tries so hard to show me how the computer works, but he doesn’t understand that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks!
杰里米不厌其烦地向我展示计算机是如何工作的，但是他不明白，我接受不了新事物。

21. THE OLD SCHOOL TIE / OLDBOY NETWORK
21.老校情结/母校情谊

The way in which men who have been to the same expensive private school, help each other to find good jobs.
毕业于同一私立学校的人会相互帮助寻找好工作。

The old school tie still has enormous power in most City companies.
在多数城市的公司中，母校情谊的力量仍不可小觑。

They don’t make any effort to find a job for themselves, the oldboy network does it all for them.
他们对找工作一点不上心，在这方面，同校情谊发挥了很大作用。

22. BRAINSTORM
22.头脑风暴

To try to develop an idea or think of new ideas.
尝试发展新理念或创造新理念。

Let’s all separate into groups and try to brainstorm as many suggestions as possible for the next school play.
那就让我们分为几组，针对下一场校园剧提出尽可能多的建议。

23. AN OLD HEAD ON YOUNG SHOULDERS
23.少年老成

A child or young person who thinks and talks like an older person who has more life experience.
言谈举止接近阅历丰富的老者似的孩子或少年。

Emily doesn’t fit in with the children at her school, she’s definitely an old head on young shoulders. She talks to them like a parent or teacher would!
艾米丽和校园里别的孩子不一样，她十分成熟。跟同学讲话的神情活像家长或老师！

24. CALL THE ROLL / TAKE THE ROLL
24.点名

To call the names of a group of people (or students) and expect them to respond to show they are present.
对一群人（或一组学生）点名以期待回应，表示其在场。

Jamie called the roll on the coach before we left to make sure that everyone had arrived.
杰米在车厢开动前点名，确保每个人都到了。

25. CRACK A BOOK
25. 打开课本学习

To open a book to study (usually used in a negative sense).
打开课本学习（通常是不情愿的）。

I kept telling my mum I didn’t need to study too hard for this exam because it’s easy, she wouldn’t listen to me though. She insisted I crack a book every evening!
虽然我反复地跟母亲讲这次考试十分简单，无须准备，但她根本不听。坚持要求我彻夜温习课本。

26. CRANK OUT A PAPER
26.机械地写论文

To write a paper or essay in a mechanical way.
机械地创作论文或文章。

I had to crank out a new paper every week to pass this course. It was really hard work!
为了通过这门考试，我不得不每周想办法写出一篇论文。真是太累了！

27. FILL IN THE BLANKS
27.填空

To supply missing words or information (this can be used in conversation or writing).
补上缺少的单词或信息（一般出现在对话或写作）。

I wasn’t here when the argument happened, so John filled in the blanks for me.
发生争执的时候我不在场，约翰可以告诉我究竟怎么回事。

28. LEARN BY ROTE
28.死记硬背

To learn something by memorising it without giving any thought to what is being learnt.
不加思考地记忆某项内容。

They had to learn the lyrics to two new songs by rote just before the show.
演出前，他们必须背下两首新歌的歌词。

29. LEARN THE ROPES
29.摸清门道

To learn how to do a job properly, or how things work.
熟悉工作内情或操作原理。

It took me a while to learn the ropes in this law firm, some of their procedures are so complicated.
我花了一段时间才摸清这个律师事务所的工作流程，一些程序实在太繁琐了。

30. LEARN ONE’S LESSON
30.汲取教训

To suffer a bad experience and know not to do it again.
从糟糕的经历中汲取教训，以免重蹈覆辙。

I thought I was being funny by mocking Peter in front of everyone, but the way he reacted was so horrible. I’ve definitely learnt my lesson to not make a joke at someone else’s expense!
我在众人面前嘲笑彼特的样子一定很滑稽，但是他的反应也太可怕了。我想我再也不会以让人付出代价的方式开玩笑了。

31. TEACH SOMEONE A LESSON
31.给某人一个教训

To do something to someone in order to punish them for something they’ve done.
做某事惩罚某人。

The boys next door wouldn’t stop playing pranks on the poor elderly couple across the road, so I played a prank on them to teach them a lesson!
隔壁的男孩一直捉弄那对过路的老夫妇，因此我好好教训了他们一顿！

32. PASS WITH FLYING COLOURS
32.考出好成绩

To pass (a test) easily with a high score.
轻松通过考试并取得好成绩

I have some exciting news: I passed my driving test with flying colours!
有条激动人心的好消息：我以优异的成绩通过了驾照考试！

33. SCHOOLBOY ERROR
33.低级错误

A very basic or foolish mistake.
低级或愚蠢的错误。

He made a schoolboy error when he passed some of the responsibilities to Jonah, who took all the credit for everything they’d done.
他犯了一个低级错误，竟然将责任推给约拿。而约拿将一切视为理所当然。

34. A QUICK LEARNER
34.学得快

Someone who is able to learn a new skill or task very quickly.
能够快速掌握某项技能或迅速完成某项任务的人。

Kelly is a very quick learner; she has only been here for a week so far and has already taken on most of the previous secretary’s roles!
凯莉对工作上手很快，才来了一个星期，就基本能够胜任秘书的角色了。

35. UNIVERSITY OF LIFE
35.生活经历

The daily life and work where you learn more than you would by going to university.
在日常生活和工作中学到的东西远比在大学多得多。

My grandfather began to work on the family farm when he was fourteen and learnt everything from the university of life.
外祖父十四岁起便在农场工作，生活教会了他许多。

36. SINGLE FILE
36.一列纵队

A line of people with one person standing behind another.
人和人纵向排列成一条直线。

We didn’t have any issues with crowd control at all. Everyone was eager to get an autograph from the band, but they waited patiently in single-file.
这里无需维持秩序。尽管每个人都无比渴望得到乐队成员的签名，但是在场的人都能排成一队，耐心等待。

37. MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR/OF SOMETHING
37.合乎要求

To fulfil the requirements for/of something.
合乎要求。

Unfortunately, I didn’t meet all their requirements for that job, so I didn’t get it.
不幸的是，我不符合那项工作的要求，因此未能录取。

38. MAKE THE GRADE
38.合乎水准

To be satisfactory and of an expected level.
符合要求，达到预期标准。

I didn’t make the grade for the final assignment, so I have to do it all over again!
我未能达到最终任务的要求，因此不得不重新来过！

39. HIT THE BOOKS
39.发奋学习

To begin to study hard.
开始努力学习。

I hit the books as soon as I knew the date of the exam.
我一得知考试日期便开始努力学习。

40. HAVE ONE’S NOSE IN A BOOK
40.专心读书

To be reading a book.
形容阅读书籍。

He always has his nose in a book, I wish he’d be a bit more sociable sometimes!
他总是在读书，能多点社交时间就好了！

41. GOOF OFF / GOOF AROUND
41.游手好闲/消磨时间

To waste time, procrastinate.
浪费时间，耽搁拖延。

He spent all of last week goofing around, and now he’s panicking the day before the test!
上周，他整个星期都无所事事，如今考试前一天才知道恐慌！

42. TEACHER’S PET
42.老师的宠儿

A teacher’s favourite student.
受老师青睐的学生。

She always gets really good marks, I bet it’s because she’s teacher’s pet.
她的分数一直很高，我敢打赌，这一定是老师喜欢她的缘故。