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.
tread on [someone's] toes
Interfere with someone's area of responsibility.
While taking part in a study-skills workshop, the speaker highlighted “tread on [someone's] toes”, which means “Interfere with someone's area of responsibility”.
get your teeth into [something]
Become involved in something enthusiastically.
While taking part in a discussion about learning and memory, the speaker highlighted “get your teeth into [something]”, which means “Become involved in something enthusiastically”.
a mine of information
A person who knows a great deal about many things.
During a discussion about learning and memory, the facilitator introduced “a mine of information”, an expression meaning “A person who knows a great deal about many things”.
be au fait with
Be fully familiar with or knowledgeable about.
During a university seminar, the facilitator introduced “be au fait with”, an expression meaning “Be fully familiar with or knowledgeable about”.
back on track
Returning to the right course or plan.
In a revision session, participants used “back on track” to communicate this idea: “Returning to the right course or plan”.
don't even go there
Do not start discussing that subject.
During a study-skills workshop, the facilitator introduced “don't even go there”, an expression meaning “Do not start discussing that subject”.
a whizz kid
A young person who is exceptionally talented.
In a university seminar, “a whizz kid” was explained as an expression meaning “A young person who is exceptionally talented”.
you're teaching your grandmother to suck eggs
You are giving advice to someone who knows more than you.
During a discussion about learning and memory, the trainer referred to “you're teaching your grandmother to suck eggs”, a useful expression for the idea “You are giving advice to someone who knows more than you”.
[mind/watch] your back
Be careful of possible danger or betrayal.
In a discussion about learning and memory, “[mind/watch] your back” was explained as an expression meaning “Be careful of possible danger or betrayal”.
nobody in their right mind
No sensible person.
During a revision session, the trainer referred to “nobody in their right mind”, a useful expression for the idea “No sensible person”.
behind [someone's] back
Without someone's knowledge.
While taking part in a revision session, the speaker highlighted “behind [someone's] back”, which means “Without someone's knowledge”.
as bright as a button
Very intelligent.
While taking part in a study-skills workshop, the speaker highlighted “as bright as a button”, which means “Very intelligent”.
get your [mind/head] round
Understand something difficult.
In a revision session, “get your [mind/head] round” was explained as an expression meaning “Understand something difficult”.
it's not rocket science
It is not very difficult to understand or do.
During a revision session, the facilitator introduced “it's not rocket science”, an expression meaning “It is not very difficult to understand or do”.
teach [someone] a lesson
Show someone through experience what not to do.
In a university seminar, “teach [someone] a lesson” was explained as an expression meaning “Show someone through experience what not to do”.
have a one-track mind
Think about only one subject, often sex.
During a study-skills workshop, the trainer referred to “have a one-track mind”, a useful expression for the idea “Think about only one subject, often sex”.
be heavy going
Be difficult to read, understand or do.
In a study-skills workshop, “be heavy going” was explained as an expression meaning “Be difficult to read, understand or do”.
you can't teach an old dog new tricks
It is difficult to make someone change long-established habits.
In a revision session, participants used “you can't teach an old dog new tricks” to communicate this idea: “It is difficult to make someone change long-established habits”.
cast your mind back
Try to remember the past.
During a university seminar, the trainer referred to “cast your mind back”, a useful expression for the idea “Try to remember the past”.
be all in the mind
Be caused by imagination rather than reality.
During a discussion about learning and memory, the trainer referred to “be all in the mind”, a useful expression for the idea “Be caused by imagination rather than reality”.
read [someone's] mind
Know what someone is thinking.
During a discussion about learning and memory, the facilitator introduced “read [someone's] mind”, an expression meaning “Know what someone is thinking”.
mind how you go
Take care; goodbye.
While taking part in a university seminar, the speaker highlighted “mind how you go”, which means “Take care; goodbye”.
no prizes for guessing [something]
It is very obvious.
In a study-skills workshop, participants used “no prizes for guessing [something]” to communicate this idea: “It is very obvious”.
get your tongue round [something]
Be able to pronounce something.
In a university seminar, participants used “get your tongue round [something]” to communicate this idea: “Be able to pronounce something”.
can't see the wood for the trees
Fail to see the overall situation because of details.
In a discussion about learning and memory, participants used “can't see the wood for the trees” to communicate this idea: “Fail to see the overall situation because of details”.