- 1. Common knowledge
- 2. Knowledge is power
- 3. Know the ropes, learn the ropes
- 4. Can’t make heads or tails of it
- 5. Burning the midnight oil, pull an all-nighter
- 6. Know something backwards and forwards
- 7. Doing your homework
- 8. Under one’s belt
- 9. Two heads are better than one
- 10. Pick his brain
- 11. Great minds think alike
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What are idioms and why are they important for learning English?
- Can you give an example of the idiom ‘common knowledge’?
- What does the idiom ‘knowledge is power’ mean?
- What does it mean to ‘know something backwards and forwards’?
- What does the idiom ‘two heads are better than one’ suggest?
A highly effective way to enhance your English speaking skills is by mastering idioms. These colorful expressions not only enrich your vocabulary but also deepen your understanding of native speakers, making them an essential component of your English learning journey.
I came across an amazing infographic featuring English idioms related to knowledge, and I couldn’t wait to share it with you to enhance your language learning journey. Below, you’ll find a list of these insightful idioms along with examples of how they’re used in everyday conversation.
1. Common knowledge
Information that is known by many people.
Example: The fact that thunder often accompanies lightning is common knowledge.
2. Knowledge is power
The more a person knows, the better armed he is.
Example: In this situation, knowledge is power.
3. Know the ropes, learn the ropes
Know a subject well, know the ins and outs about it
Example: Don’t worry, Jane! He knows the ropes; he will help you.
4. Can’t make heads or tails of it
Do not understand something, or become confused by something
Example: I can’t make heads or tails of it. Can you explain it to me one more time, please?
5. Burning the midnight oil, pull an all-nighter
Stay up late working hard on something. Often used by students.
Example: We were fooling around all the semester, and now we have to burn the midnight oil.
6. Know something backwards and forwards
Know something very well. Be an expert, or be well acquainted with something
Example: Alice knew their strategy backwards and forwards, as she worked there for a long time.
7. Doing your homework
While this phrase is frequently taken at face value, it is more commonly employed to indicate the process of studying or gaining knowledge about a particular subject.
Example: I have to do my homework before deciding where to go on vacation next year.
8. Under one’s belt
Have a lot of experience
Example: Jim has to get a lot of knowledge under his belt before the trip.
9. Two heads are better than one
Two people working together can solve a problem better than one person alone
Example: Let’s do it together. Two heads are better than one.
10. Pick his brain
Ask questions of someone to learn more about a subject that he knows better than you
Example: My brother is an expert on computers. I’ll pick his brain to see if he can solve the problem.
11. Great minds think alike
Smart people have the same ideas or thoughts about things
Example: James told me the same thing as Lily. Great minds think alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are idioms and why are they important for learning English?
Idioms are colorful expressions that enrich vocabulary and deepen understanding of native speakers, making them essential for English learning.
Can you give an example of the idiom ‘common knowledge’?
An example of ‘common knowledge’ is: The fact that thunder often accompanies lightning is common knowledge.
What does the idiom ‘knowledge is power’ mean?
‘Knowledge is power’ means that the more a person knows, the better equipped they are for various situations.
What does it mean to ‘know something backwards and forwards’?
To ‘know something backwards and forwards’ means to be very familiar with a subject and to be an expert on it.
What does the idiom ‘two heads are better than one’ suggest?
‘Two heads are better than one’ suggests that two people working together can solve a problem better than one person alone.
