This lesson trains 25 C2 idioms on Study, Learning & Memory. Idioms signal fluency when used naturally — forcing them into every sentence hurts your score. Practise in the runner first, then revisit every expression in the glossary. Review mode after completion shows how each idiom fits its context.
learn [something] off by heart
Learn something so it can be repeated exactly.
During a university seminar, the facilitator introduced “learn [something] off by heart”, an expression meaning “Learn something so it can be repeated exactly”.
learn by rote
Learn by repeating until memorised.
During a discussion about learning and memory, the trainer referred to “learn by rote”, a useful expression for the idea “Learn by repeating until memorised”.
see the point
Understand the importance of something.
In a discussion about learning and memory, “see the point” was explained as an expression meaning “Understand the importance of something”.
not know the half of it
Not understand how serious or complicated something is.
While taking part in a discussion about learning and memory, the speaker highlighted “not know the half of it”, which means “Not understand how serious or complicated something is”.
up to scratch
Good enough or at the required standard.
During a revision session, the trainer referred to “up to scratch”, a useful expression for the idea “Good enough or at the required standard”.
no-go area
A place or subject that is forbidden or unsafe.
In a revision session, “no-go area” was explained as an expression meaning “A place or subject that is forbidden or unsafe”.
learn your lesson
Learn from a bad experience not to repeat it.
While taking part in a revision session, the speaker highlighted “learn your lesson”, which means “Learn from a bad experience not to repeat it”.
mind over matter
Using willpower to overcome physical difficulty.
In a discussion about learning and memory, participants used “mind over matter” to communicate this idea: “Using willpower to overcome physical difficulty”.
a memory like a sieve
A very poor memory.
While taking part in a university seminar, the speaker highlighted “a memory like a sieve”, which means “A very poor memory”.
a lightbulb moment
A sudden moment of understanding or inspiration.
During a revision session, the facilitator introduced “a lightbulb moment”, an expression meaning “A sudden moment of understanding or inspiration”.
behind your back
Without your knowledge.
In a university seminar, “behind your back” was explained as an expression meaning “Without your knowledge”.
put your thinking cap on
To think very carefully in order to solve a problem.
In a study-skills lesson, “put your thinking cap on” was explained as an expression meaning “To think very carefully in order to solve a problem.”.
a lot of ground to make up
A lot of work needed to catch up.
In a discussion about learning and memory, “a lot of ground to make up” was explained as an expression meaning “A lot of work needed to catch up”.
mind your back
Be careful of possible danger or betrayal.
During a university seminar, the trainer referred to “mind your back”, a useful expression for the idea “Be careful of possible danger or betrayal”.
be under no illusions
Understand the true situation clearly.
During a discussion about learning and memory, the facilitator introduced “be under no illusions”, an expression meaning “Understand the true situation clearly”.
learn the hard way
Learn through a difficult experience.
In a study-skills workshop, “learn the hard way” was explained as an expression meaning “Learn through a difficult experience”.
be in two minds
Be unable to decide between two choices.
During a revision session, the trainer referred to “be in two minds”, a useful expression for the idea “Be unable to decide between two choices”.
see the joke
Understand why something is funny.
During a study-skills workshop, the trainer referred to “see the joke”, a useful expression for the idea “Understand why something is funny”.
see the light
Suddenly understand something.
During a revision session, the facilitator introduced “see the light”, an expression meaning “Suddenly understand something”.
mind your step
Be careful.
During a study-skills workshop, the facilitator introduced “mind your step”, an expression meaning “Be careful”.
know [something] inside out
Know something extremely well.
In a revision session, participants used “know [something] inside out” to communicate this idea: “Know something extremely well”.
not the whole picture
Not all the relevant facts.
In a university seminar, participants used “not the whole picture” to communicate this idea: “Not all the relevant facts”.
stick in my mind
Be remembered easily.
While taking part in a university seminar, the speaker highlighted “stick in my mind”, which means “Be remembered easily”.
if you put your mind to it
If you make a determined effort.
While taking part in a study-skills workshop, the speaker highlighted “if you put your mind to it”, which means “If you make a determined effort”.
take your mind off it
Stop thinking about something worrying.
In a study-skills workshop, participants used “take your mind off it” to communicate this idea: “Stop thinking about something worrying”.