Whether you are studying for your education or learning a new job or skill, these English idioms about learning are just what you need.
Learn some new phrases to talk about ways of learning, attitudes to learning, and getting motivated to study. We even have some idioms that are about the opposite of learning – for the slackers out there!
Idioms can be hard to understand unless you know the intended meaning, so let’s get to work.
Idioms about learning
Knowledge is power
Some idioms about learning come in the form of inspiring and motivational quotes, sayings or mantras. Just repeating knowledge is power a few times to yourself should be enough to get you studying every day!
It’s not so difficult to work out the meaning of this one: The more you know, the more it will help you in life. It’s one of many knowledge idioms that can help inspire you to learn more.
“It’s important to study hard as knowledge is power.”
But where did this saying come from?
Learn the ropes / show the ropes / know the ropes
If you need to learn the ropes you need to be taught how to do a job.
Likewise, the person teaching you is showing you the ropes, and after you are competent at the task you can say you know the ropes. “The ropes” refers to the protocols, knowledge and procedures required to carry out a task or assignment.
“Ok, welcome to the company. This is Malcom and he’ll show you the ropes.”
Another variation, teach the ropes, doubles up as a teaching idiom.
Pull an all-nighter
A lot of these idioms about learning focus on studying for exams and tests. If you ever need to study or work so hard that you run out of time to sleep, you can say that you pulled an all-nighter. It’s not an advisable way to learn!
“I didn’t realize my book report was due in before the holidays! Looks like I’ll have to pull an all-nighter.”
If you feel tired afterwards, these sleep idioms might come in handy.
Burning the midnight oil
Here’s another example of an idiom about learning related to reading, studying or working late into the night. The saying burning the midnight oil dates back to when people used oil lamps in the evening.
“I hope Mark did well in his exams. He’s really been burning the midnight oil studying.”
You may also hear burning the candle at both ends, but this can relate more broadly to working hard and not resting enough.
Interestingly, there are quite a few night idioms related to staying up late.
Figure something out
This phrasal verb describes the process of learning and problem-solving. To figure something out is to work to find a solution to a problem or question.
“Keep working on the math problem and I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”
This phrase can be used in the positive or the negative. It can also be separable (as above) or inseparable (as below).
“I can’t figure out the answer to question 2.”
“I figured out what to do.”
I know it like the back of my hand
When you have learned all there is to know about something, try using the fun saying I know it like the back of my hand. You could also say this when you are very familiar with a place or person.
“I know this text book like the back of my hand.”
“Ted knows this town like the back of his hand. He’s the best person to ask if you need anything around here!”
If you like this body part idiom, there are plenty of others for you to learn.
Know something backwards and forwards
Just like learning something so well you know it like a part of your body, you can also know something backwards and forwards.
You could take it literally, for example knowing the alphabet from A to Z and from Z to A. Or it might refer to knowing your favorite song or poem word-for-word.
On the other hand, it can just be an exaggerated expression to say you know something very well (but not literally backwards and forwards). This is an example of hyperbole.
“I feel like I know these Shakespeare plays backwards and forwards, I’ve been studying them so much.”
Small variations on this saying are to know something inside out or to know it standing on your head. Again, these just mean that you know it very very well.
It’s not rocket science / brain surgery
If you happen to be studying either of these things, you will know that they are very complicated topics. When we say that something is not rocket science or not brain surgery, we are saying in a playful way that this thing is not so difficult to learn or master.
“I have never been paintballing before, but surely it’s not rocket science.”
There are many other great English expressions to say something is easy. Find more in our easy idioms list.
Learn by heart
If you need to memorize something then you could say that you must learn it (off) by heart. This is similar to the two expressions above, although it suggests that you are memorizing it for a recital, test, or performance of some kind.
“For the auditions next Wednesday, please learn this monologue by heart.”
A variation to this leaning idiom is to know something (off) by heart. This does not have the same suggestion of purpose, though. It could be more that the thing has stuck in your mind from repetition, rather than intentional learning.
“My son asks for the same bedtime story every night. I know it off by heart!”
“That song has been on the radio so much recently; I must know it by heart.”
On a related topic, you may want to learn about the difference between purposely and purposefully.
Phrases to describe learning (or not)
Hit the books
During your school, college or university years, sometimes the only way to learn something is to read and study your coursework books. When you study using books, you can be described as hitting the books.
“It’s getting late so I’d better hit the books before the test tomorrow.”
You could even use this reading idiom if all your learning is done online.
Pick someone’s brain
Learning idioms aren’t just about you learning by yourself. Sometimes you need to ask someone for their thoughts, opinion or advice. This is when you would pick their brain.
“Why don’t you pick your friend’s brain and see if she knows the answer?”
It can also be an informal way of asking someone if they have a moment to discuss a question or problem with you.
“You know a lot about physics, don’t you? Do you mind if I pick your brain?”
Put your thinking cap on
You may hear idioms about learning in different settings like at work, at school, or between fellow students. When it’s time to start thinking and working on what needs to be done, put on your thinking cap. This imaginary piece of headgear will help you get into the right frame of mind.
“Ok team, let’s get started on this project. Time to put our thinking caps on.”
This idioms about working hard could also be shortened, as an instruction, to “Thinking caps on!”
Practice makes perfect
Sometimes the best way to learn is through repetition, and that’s what the phrase practice makes perfect means.
“Just keep trying and you’ll get better. Practice makes perfect, after all.”
Learn about: When do we use practice or practise?
Can’t make heads or tails of it
When you’re trying to learn something new, it’s a nightmare if you just don’t understand it. If you can’t figure something out or solve a puzzle, you could express your frustration by saying you can’t make head(s) (n)or tail(s) of it.
“Honestly, this chemistry project make no sense. I just can’t make heads nor tails of it.”
An alternative saying with the same meaning is can’t get my head around it.
Cover a lot of ground
Sometimes when you are learning something new, your teacher may say that there is a lot of ground to cover or that they have to cover a lot of ground. Both simply mean there is a large amount of work to do or information to process, like a lot of topics or complex matters to discuss.
“We need to start studying for the test and we have a lot of ground to cover.”
“Well done, class, we have covered a lot of ground in today’s lesson.”
This is an example of a business idiom that you may hear at work, too.
Lost in thought
The next few learning idioms are actually the opposite of learning and refer to when you aren’t concentrating. When you are lost in thought you are thinking about other things and not paying attention.
“Were you listening to my explanation or just lost in thought?”
Daydream
When you’re supposed to be learning something new, daydreaming isn’t going to help you. Although daydreams are pleasant thoughts that distract you during the day, they mean you aren’t concentrating.
“It’s not the time for daydreaming, you should be studying.”
Draw a blank
No matter how hard you study and try to learn something new, sometimes you may simply forget and not be able to think of the answer. This is what it’s like to draw a blank. That’s why some idioms about learning are in fact about struggling to learn.
“What did you get for question 5? I drew a blank!”
Away with the fairies
The last of our idioms about learning is once again more about not learning. Being away with the fairies is slightly more than just daydreaming or not concentrating. It’s when someone acts in an unusual way that is out of touch with reality.
“He’s just not taking any of it in. He’s away with the fairies most of the time.”
So, what have you learned from this list of idioms about learning and studying? Be sure to have fun with your favorites and try to use them during your next conversation at work or school. And if you want to keep learning more English phrases, have a look at some education idioms next.
