Have you ever thought about what it means to ‘put your thinking cap on’?
你有沒有想過“戴上你的思維帽”意味著什么？

How is it possible to ‘pass with flying colours’?
怎樣才能“飛黃騰達”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!
這篇文章將幫助你破譯學(xué)校和教育中一些令人困惑的成語。有了常規(guī)的練習(xí)，你也許就可以自己在日常演講中使用它們了，而當(dāng)你聽到別人使用它們時，你就不會“畫蛇添足”了！

Just remember, although these idioms derive from terminology surrounding school and education, they can be used in everyday situations.
記住，盡管這些習(xí)語來源于學(xué)校和教育的相關(guān)術(shù)語，但它們可以在日常生活中使用。

English Idioms Related to School and Education
與學(xué)校和教育有關(guān)的英語習(xí)語

1. PUT / GET YOUR THINKING CAP ON
1.開動腦筋

To engage your mind and think in a serious manner.
令大腦和思維保持在思考狀態(tài)。

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，我們必須在父母回家前想出解決問題的辦法，那就讓我們開動腦筋！

2. DRAW A BLANK
2.一無所獲/大腦一片空白

To get no response from someone when they are asked a question.
面對提問毫無反應(yīng)。

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!
我問過他的圣誕計劃，但是一無所獲。他好像根本不明白我在問什么！

3. BACK TO BASICS
3.回復(fù)本原

An approach that uses traditional ideas and methods which have been successful in the past.
一種在過去有所成效的傳統(tǒng)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.
看上去他們更喜歡傳統(tǒng)的辦公方式。雖然他們鮮用先進技術(shù)，但是一切變得似乎更簡單、更易于管理。

4. AS EASY AS ABC
4.不費吹灰之力

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

That jigsaw puzzle is as easy as ABC, I don’t understand why you’ve been struggling with it for so long.
七巧板游戲如此簡單，你怎么花這么久的時間還沒搞定？

5. COPYCAT
5.模仿者

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

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.
我不想跟她談?wù)撐业幕槎Y計劃，她是個地地道道的模仿者！她知道了，一定會在自己婚禮上盜用我的創(chuàng)意。

6. COVER A LOT OF GROUND
6.許多事情需要完成

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、研究項目急需完成或材料等待審核。

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!
過去兩周，我們小組進展迅速，處理了不少事情，也許這個項目月底就能完成！

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.
我們必須在下月底完成這項研究?？墒乾F(xiàn)在仍有很多工作沒有完成，恐怕不能及時完成任務(wù)了。

7. COUNT NOSES
7.清點人數(shù)

To count the number of people around you (generally used on a school trip, to check for missing students).
用于清點人數(shù)（常見于郊游時清點學(xué)生以防遺漏）。

My grandmother was constantly counting noses at the birthday party. I think she felt responsible for all the children there!
外祖母常在生日聚會上清點人數(shù)。她一定認為自己對在場的每個孩子都有責(zé)任！

8. EAGER BEAVER
8.做事勤奮的人

Someone who works hard and is very enthusiastic.
做事勤奮、干勁十足的人。

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!
瑪麗做事勤奮，無論老板提出什么要求，總是第一個沖鋒陷陣。她一定是想得到提拔！

9. DROP OUT OF SCHOOL (phrasal verb) / DROPOUT (noun)
9.輟學(xué)（動詞詞組）/輟學(xué)生（名詞）

To stop attending school completely (leave without graduating).
完全不上學(xué)（尚未畢業(yè)便離校）。

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!
雖然她十四歲便輟學(xué)在家照顧生病的祖母，但是如今她成功經(jīng)營了一家養(yǎng)老院。

He’s a dropout, I can’t see him being anything successful with his current reputation.
他是名輟學(xué)生，就現(xiàn)在而言，我看不出他能有什么出息。

10. SHOW OF HANDS
10.舉手表決

Raising hands to vote about something.
對某事進行表決。

With a show of hands, who would prefer to have longer working days but a shorter working week?
舉手表決，有誰支持延長工作日但縮短工作周期？

11. LEARN (SOMETHING) BY HEART / OFF BY HEART
11.用心學(xué)習(xí)某事

To memorise something so well, that it can be written or recited without thinking.
對某事十分熟悉，能夠不假思索地默寫或背誦。

I can’t believe you learnt the whole Macbeth play by heart! Well done!
你竟然記住了《麥克白》全部臺詞！真讓人難以置信！干得好！

She learnt all the compositions by Beethoven off by heart!
她用心學(xué)習(xí)了貝多芬的所有曲目！

12. BOOKWORM
12.書呆子

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

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!
你不必費力請她和我們一起去，她是個名副其實的書呆子，可能更想在家讀書！

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

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.
仍堅持過去流行的態(tài)度或主張，盡管其已不再符合現(xiàn)代社會發(fā)展趨勢。

She was a teacher of the old school and believed in strict discipline.
她是個老派的老師，相信嚴(yán)師出高徒。

My grandmother is from the old school, she made her children make their own lunches and walk to school.
祖母是個傳統(tǒng)的人，她要求兒女們自行準(zhǔn)備午餐、步行去學(xué)校。

14. THE SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS
14.（有教育意義的）困苦經(jīng)歷

Learning through difficult experiences in life, as opposed to a formal, classroom education.
從苦難的生活經(jīng)歷學(xué)習(xí)，而非接受正規(guī)的課堂教育。

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.
我雖然未受過大學(xué)教育，但是困苦的生活經(jīng)歷同樣使我學(xué)到很多，讓我深刻理解了什么叫生活。

15. A FOR EFFORT
15.獲得嘉獎

Giving someone recognition for trying hard to do something even though they may not be successful.
對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.
詹妮在比賽中傾注了大量的心血，理應(yīng)獲得嘉獎。

16. SCHOOL SOMEONE IN SOMETHING
16.訓(xùn)練某人做某事

To train, discipline or coach someone in something.
訓(xùn)練、訓(xùn)導(dǎo)或指導(dǎo)某人做某事。

She schooled her brother in patience.
她耐心教導(dǎo)弟弟。

17. CUT CLASS / PLAY HOOKY / SKIP CLASS
17.逃課/逃學(xué)/逃課

When someone plays truant and does not go to their lessons.
某人曠課或逃學(xué)。

David has been cutting class again; I haven’t seen him in any of our French lessons for the past week!
大衛(wèi)又逃課了，上周就沒見他上過一節(jié)法語課！

They played hooky at college so they could be first in line for the concert tickets.
為買到音樂會第一排的演出票，他們不惜逃學(xué)。

The teacher told his parents that he’d been skipping classes! He’s not allowed to go out with us now.
老師告訴家長他們的孩子過去一直翹課！所以，這個孩子現(xiàn)在不能跟我們一起出來玩耍了。

18. SCHOOL OF THOUGHT
18.思想派別

A particular philosophy, or a way of thinking about something.
一種特定的理念或思考方式。

One school of thought holds that cats cause allergic reactions.
某學(xué)派認為貓能引起過敏反應(yīng)。

19. TELL TALES OUT OF SCHOOL / TELL TALES
19.背后講壞話/搬弄是非

To gossip or spread rumours.
八卦或傳播流言蜚語。

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!
我真希望吉娜沒有現(xiàn)在這么八卦，即便說真話，也沒人愿意相信她！

20. YOU CAN’T TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS
20.老狗學(xué)不會新把戲

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.
比喻長期養(yǎng)成的習(xí)慣，很難發(fā)生改變。

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!
杰里米不厭其煩地向我展示計算機是如何工作的，但是他不明白，我接受不了新事物。

21. THE OLD SCHOOL TIE / OLDBOY NETWORK
21.老校情結(jié)/母校情誼

The way in which men who have been to the same expensive private school, help each other to find good jobs.
畢業(yè)于同一私立學(xué)校的人會相互幫助尋找好工作。

The old school tie still has enormous power in most City companies.
在多數(shù)城市的公司中，母校情誼的力量仍不可小覷。

They don’t make any effort to find a job for themselves, the oldboy network does it all for them.
他們對找工作一點不上心，在這方面，同校情誼發(fā)揮了很大作用。

22. BRAINSTORM
22.頭腦風(fēng)暴

To try to develop an idea or think of new ideas.
嘗試發(fā)展新理念或創(chuàng)造新理念。

Let’s all separate into groups and try to brainstorm as many suggestions as possible for the next school play.
那就讓我們分為幾組，針對下一場校園劇提出盡可能多的建議。

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.
言談舉止接近閱歷豐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!
艾米麗和校園里別的孩子不一樣，她十分成熟。跟同學(xué)講話的神情活像家長或老師！

24. CALL THE ROLL / TAKE THE ROLL
24.點名

To call the names of a group of people (or students) and expect them to respond to show they are present.
對一群人（或一組學(xué)生）點名以期待回應(yīng)，表示其在場。

Jamie called the roll on the coach before we left to make sure that everyone had arrived.
杰米在車廂開動前點名，確保每個人都到了。

25. CRACK A BOOK
25. 打開課本學(xué)習(xí)

To open a book to study (usually used in a negative sense).
打開課本學(xué)習(xí)（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!
雖然我反復(fù)地跟母親講這次考試十分簡單，無須準(zhǔn)備，但她根本不聽。堅持要求我徹夜溫習(xí)課本。

26. CRANK OUT A PAPER
26.機械地寫論文

To write a paper or essay in a mechanical way.
機械地創(chuàng)作論文或文章。

I had to crank out a new paper every week to pass this course. It was really hard work!
為了通過這門考試，我不得不每周想辦法寫出一篇論文。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).
補上缺少的單詞或信息（一般出現(xiàn)在對話或?qū)懽鳎?/div>

I wasn’t here when the argument happened, so John filled in the blanks for me.
發(fā)生爭執(zhí)的時候我不在場，約翰可以告訴我究竟怎么回事。

28. LEARN BY ROTE
28.死記硬背

To learn something by memorising it without giving any thought to what is being learnt.
不加思考地記憶某項內(nèi)容。

They had to learn the lyrics to two new songs by rote just before the show.
演出前，他們必須背下兩首新歌的歌詞。

29. LEARN THE ROPES
29.摸清門道

To learn how to do a job properly, or how things work.
熟悉工作內(nèi)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.
我花了一段時間才摸清這個律師事務(wù)所的工作流程，一些程序?qū)嵲谔爆嵙恕?/em>

30. LEARN ONE’S LESSON
30.汲取教訓(xùn)

To suffer a bad experience and know not to do it again.
從糟糕的經(jīng)歷中汲取教訓(xùn)，以免重蹈覆轍。

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!
我在眾人面前嘲笑彼特的樣子一定很滑稽，但是他的反應(yīng)也太可怕了。我想我再也不會以讓人付出代價的方式開玩笑了。

31. TEACH SOMEONE A LESSON
31.給某人一個教訓(xùn)

To do something to someone in order to punish them for something they’ve done.
做某事懲罰某人。

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對過路的老夫婦，因此我好好教訓(xùn)了他們一頓！

32. PASS WITH FLYING COLOURS
32.考出好成績

To pass (a test) easily with a high score.
輕松通過考試并取得好成績

I have some exciting news: I passed my driving test with flying colours!
有條激動人心的好消息：我以優(yōu)異的成績通過了駕照考試！

33. SCHOOLBOY ERROR
33.低級錯誤

A very basic or foolish mistake.
低級或愚蠢的錯誤。

He made a schoolboy error when he passed some of the responsibilities to Jonah, who took all the credit for everything they’d done.
他犯了一個低級錯誤，竟然將責(zé)任推給約拿。而約拿將一切視為理所當(dāng)然。

34. A QUICK LEARNER
34.學(xué)得快

Someone who is able to learn a new skill or task very quickly.
能夠快速掌握某項技能或迅速完成某項任務(wù)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!
凱莉?qū)ぷ魃鲜趾芸?，才來了一個星期，就基本能夠勝任秘書的角色了。

35. UNIVERSITY OF LIFE
35.生活經(jīng)歷

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學(xué)到的東西遠比在大學(xué)多得多。

My grandfather began to work on the family farm when he was fourteen and learnt everything from the university of life.
外祖父十四歲起便在農(nóng)場工作，生活教會了他許多。

36. SINGLE FILE
36.一列縱隊

A line of people with one person standing behind another.
人和人縱向排列成一條直線。

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.
這里無需維持秩序。盡管每個人都無比渴望得到樂隊成員的簽名，但是在場的人都能排成一隊，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，我不符合那項工作的要求，因此未能錄取。

38. MAKE THE GRADE
38.合乎水準(zhǔn)

To be satisfactory and of an expected level.
符合要求，達到預(yù)期標(biāo)準(zhǔn)。

I didn’t make the grade for the final assignment, so I have to do it all over again!
我未能達到最終任務(wù)的要求，因此不得不重新來過！

39. HIT THE BOOKS
39.發(fā)奮學(xué)習(xí)

To begin to study hard.
開始努力學(xué)習(xí)。

I hit the books as soon as I knew the date of the exam.
我一得知考試日期便開始努力學(xué)習(xí)。

40. HAVE ONE’S NOSE IN A BOOK
40.專心讀書

To be reading a book.
形容閱讀書籍。

He always has his nose in a book, I wish he’d be a bit more sociable sometimes!
他總是在讀書，能多點社交時間就好了！

41. GOOF OFF / GOOF AROUND
41.游手好閑/消磨時間

To waste time, procrastinate.
浪費時間，耽擱拖延。

He spent all of last week goofing around, and now he’s panicking the day before the test!
上周，他整個星期都無所事事，如今考試前一天才知道恐慌！

42. TEACHER’S PET
42.老師的寵兒

A teacher’s favourite student.
受老師青睞的學(xué)生。

She always gets really good marks, I bet it’s because she’s teacher’s pet.
她的分?jǐn)?shù)一直很高，我敢打賭，這一定是老師喜歡她的緣故。