Academic Idioms Starting with A and B

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Academic Idioms

A and B


Ace in the Hole Secret Reserve of Strengthphrase comes from the reserve card in a poker game.


Albatross aroundOne’s Neck

Burden to Be Bornphrase comes from Coleridge's poem Rime of the Ancient Mariner


Achille’s Heel

Vulnerability

phrase comes from the Greek myth of Achilles.


Cost an Arm and a Leg

Be Very Expensive


Put on theBack Burner

Make Something Less Important

the back burner on the stove is usually smaller and out-of-the-way


Back to Square One

Start Over at Beginning

phrase comesfrom boardgames


Bad Mouth

Speak Badlyof Someone


Bark Up Wrong Tree

Look in theWrong Direction

phrase comesfrom hunting with

dogs


Let’s Practice

incorrect correct


Reading skills are my ace in the hole for getting good grades.

Is the idiom is being used correctly or incorrectly??


Reading skills are my ace in the hole for getting good grades.



After I moved to America, I had to go back to square one in school.



After I moved to America, I had to go back to square one in school.



I love cleaning house, so it’s an albatross around my neck!



I love cleaning house, so it’s an albatross around my neck!



I hate cleaning house, so it’s an albatross around my neck!



Disrespect for others in the classroom is my Achilles’ heel. It just drives me crazy!



Disrespect for others in the classroom is my Achilles’ heel. It just drives me crazy!



I am working on my new book every day. I had to put it on the back burner to get ready for the spring semester.



I am working on my new book every day. I had to put it on the back burner to get ready for the spring semester.



I cannot work on my new book right now. I had to put it on the back burner to get ready for the spring semester.



It is not nice to bad mouth others behind their backs.



It is not nice to bad mouth others behind their backs.



Housing in California is so cheap that it costs an arm and a leg!



Housing in California is so cheap that it costs an arm and a leg!



Housing in California is so expensive that it costs an arm and a leg!



Watching the movie instead of reading the book is sure barking up the wrong tree to get a good test grade.



Watching the movie instead of reading the book is sure barking up the wrong tree to get a good test grade.



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Academic Idioms Starting with A and B