Question

Match the idioms related to ‘learning’ given in Column 1 with their meanings in Column 2. You may refer to a dictionary.

Column 1	Column 2
1. to hit the books	(i) to memorise something
2. to draw a blank	(ii) to think very hard
3. to learn the ropes	(iii) to study seriously
4. to rack one’s brain	(iv) to study or work late into the night
5. to learn by heart	(v) to be unable to remember
6. burn the midnight oil	(vi) to understand how to do an activity

Now, use these idioms in sentences of your own.

Answer 1

Column 1	Column 2
1. to hit the books	(iii) to study seriously
2. to draw a blank	(v) to be unable to remember
3. to learn the ropes	(vi) to understand how to do an activity
4. to rack one’s brain	(ii) to think very hard
5. to learn by heart	(i) to memorise something
6. burn the midnight oil	(iv) to study or work late into the night

Sentences using the idioms:

1. Hit the books: I need to hit the books before my final examination.
2. Draw a blank: I drew a blank when the teacher asked me the answer.
3. Learn the ropes: It took me a few days to learn the ropes of the new activity.
4. Rack one’s brain: I racked my brain to remember the answer.
5. Learn by heart: We had to learn the poem by heart for the recitation.
6. Burn the midnight oil: She burned the midnight oil to prepare for her examination.