School Life phrases and words in English
The classroom gave English a whole vocabulary for ambition, effort and mischief — call someone a "teacher's pet," learn things in "the school of hard knocks," "pass with flying colours," or admit you used to "play hooky."
13 phrases · meanings & example sentences
“Teacher's pet”
Someone who is the favourite of a person in authority and is treated specially — often because they flatter or obey. Mildly mocking, suggesting the favouritism is a bit unfair. Works just as well for an adult sucking up to the boss.
- She always agrees with the manager in meetings — total teacher's pet.
- He got the easy shift again? Of course, he's the teacher's pet.
- I wasn't the teacher's pet at school, that's for sure.
“The school of hard knocks”
Learning life's lessons the hard way — through tough real-world experience rather than formal education. A 'knock' is a blow or setback, so this 'school' teaches through difficulty. Often said with pride by self-made people.
- I never went to university — I learned business in the school of hard knocks.
- She's tough because she grew up in the school of hard knocks.
- No textbook teaches that; you only learn it in the school of hard knocks.
“Old school”
Traditional, from an earlier time, and often admired for being more authentic or principled than modern ways. Can describe methods, manners, music or people. A compliment when it means 'classic and reliable,' teasing when it means 'out of date.'
- He still writes thank-you letters by hand — very old school.
- The cafe is proper old school: cash only, no wi-fi, great coffee.
- My coach is old school; he believes in discipline above everything.
“Learn the ropes”
To learn the basic skills and routines needed for a new job or activity. It comes from sailing, where new crew first had to master the many ropes that controlled the sails. Standard for any newcomer finding their feet.
- Give the new hire a week to learn the ropes before judging her.
- Once you learn the ropes, the job becomes second nature.
- He's still learning the ropes, so be patient with the odd mistake.
“Pass with flying colours”
To succeed at something with great ease and excellent results — far beyond just scraping through. The 'colours' are a ship's flags, which a victorious vessel flew proudly as it sailed home. Used for exams, tests, trials of any kind.
- She studied for months and passed her driving test with flying colours.
- The product survived every stress test with flying colours.
- He was nervous about the interview but passed with flying colours.
“Make the grade”
To reach the required standard and be good enough to succeed. 'Grade' here means a level or mark you must meet. Useful for jobs, teams, courses — anywhere there's a bar to clear.
- Only a handful of trainees make the grade and get hired.
- The prototype was clever but didn't quite make the grade for production.
- He trained twice as hard, determined to make the grade this time.
“Play hooky”
To stay away from school or work without permission — to skip it for something more fun. Mostly American and informal, with a cheeky, harmless tone. (Brits often say 'skive off' instead.)
- The weather was perfect, so we played hooky and went to the beach.
- He played hooky from the office and nobody even noticed.
- We used to play hooky and spend the afternoon at the arcade.
“Skive off”
British slang for avoiding school, work or a duty by sneaking away or pretending you can't do it. A 'skiver' is someone who habitually dodges effort. Cheeky and very common in the UK and Ireland.
- He skived off the meeting and went for a long lunch.
- Stop skiving off and help us carry these boxes.
- We skived off the last lesson on Fridays — everyone did.
“Burn the midnight oil”
To stay up very late working or studying. Before electricity, working at night meant burning oil in a lamp. It carries a sense of dedication and hard graft, not just being awake. Perfect for exam season or a big deadline.
- I burned the midnight oil all week to finish my dissertation.
- The whole team burned the midnight oil before the launch.
- You can't keep burning the midnight oil — you'll exhaust yourself.
“An A for effort”
Recognition that someone tried really hard, even if the result wasn't great. It borrows the school grading system to gently praise the attempt while admitting it didn't quite work. Kind, with a hint of humour.
- The cake collapsed, but honestly — an A for effort.
- His plan failed completely, though you have to give him an A for effort.
- It didn't win, but the home-made costume gets an A for effort.
“A bookworm”
Someone who loves reading and spends much of their time with books. The image is of a little worm that lives inside and 'eats through' books. Affectionate, never an insult — a badge of honour for readers.
- She's been a bookworm since she was five — always nose-deep in a novel.
- I was such a bookworm that I read under the covers with a torch.
- He turned from a gamer into a total bookworm over lockdown.
“Hit the books”
To start studying hard. As with 'hit the road' or 'hit the gym,' 'hit' simply means to get started energetically. The phrase signals you're about to buckle down, not just glance at notes.
- Exams are in two weeks, so I really need to hit the books.
- Less talking, more studying — time to hit the books.
- He hit the books all summer and aced the entrance test.
“A quick study”
A person who learns new things fast and easily. 'Study' here is used as a noun for a learner — an old usage that survives mainly in this phrase. A great compliment for a new colleague or teammate.
- Don't worry about training her for long — she's a quick study.
- He'd never cooked before, but he's a quick study; the meal was perfect.
- The role is demanding, but a quick study will pick it up in days.
