Middle school is an exciting time when students step into a brand new chapter of their school lives. Language also grows and changes during these years, becoming much more colorful and fun to use. In this lesson, we will look at idioms, which are special phrases that mean something different from the actual words inside them. Learning these expressions helps students share their feelings and stories in creative ways.
In this lesson, we’ll look at idioms that mean growing up and handling middle school life. Let’s get started and explore some of these helpful expressions.
Idioms for 7th Graders
1. Break the ice
Meaning: To start a conversation in a friendly way when people do not know each other well.
For Example: Maya told a funny joke to break the ice on the first day of class. / We played a quick name game to break the ice with the new students.
Other Ways to Say: Start talking / Ease the tension
2. Learn the ropes
Meaning: To learn how to do a new job or task.
For Example: It takes a few weeks to learn the ropes at a new school. / My older brother helped me learn the ropes of playing middle school soccer.
Other Ways to Say: Get the hang of it / Figure it out
3. Hit the books
Meaning: To begin studying hard for school.
For Example: I need to go home and hit the books before the big science test. / We should hit the books together in the library after lunch.
Other Ways to Say: Study hard / Hit the study notes
4. Ace a test
Meaning: To get a very high grade on an exam.
For Example: Leo studied all weekend so he could ace the history test. / She was thrilled to ace the math quiz on fractions.
Other Ways to Say: Get an A / Nail the test
5. Draw a blank
Meaning: To be unable to remember something when you need it.
For Example: I knew the answer yesterday, but during the test my mind drew a blank. My mom asked what we had for dinner, and I completely drew a blank.
Other Ways to Say: Forget completely / Draw an empty mind
6. Burn the midnight oil
Meaning: To stay up late working or studying.
For Example: Sam had to burn the midnight oil to finish his science fair project. / Trying to finish the poster required us to burn the midnight oil.
Other Ways to Say: Stay up late / Work late into the night
7. Keep your chin up
Meaning: To stay positive and hopeful during a hard time.
For Example: Even though we lost the game, our coach told us to keep our chin up. / Keep your chin up because tomorrow is a brand new day.
Other Ways to Say: Stay positive / Remain cheerful
8. Under the weather
Meaning: To feel slightly sick or unwell.
For Example: Emma stayed home from school today because she felt a bit under the weather. / If you are feeling under the weather, make sure to drink plenty of water.
Other Ways to Say: Feel sick / Feel unwell
9. Piece of cake
Meaning: Something that is very easy to do.
For Example: The spelling quiz was a piece of cake because I studied every night. / Riding my bicycle up the small hill was a piece of cake.
Other Ways to Say: Very easy / Simple task
10. Pull your socks up
Meaning: To try harder to improve your work or behavior.
For Example: The teacher told us to pull our socks up if we wanted better grades. / If you want to make the starting team, you need to pull your socks up at practice.
Other Ways to Say: Try harder / Step up your game
11. Catch someone’s eye
Meaning: To attract someone’s attention or notice something interesting.
For Example: The bright red sneakers in the store window really caught my eye. / A funny drawing in the textbook caught my eye during class.
Other Ways to Say: Get attention / Stand out
12. Speak of the devil
Meaning: Said when a person you are talking about suddenly appears.
For Example: We were just talking about Liam, and speak of the devil, he walked through the door. / I wanted to ask Sarah a question, and speak of the devil, she called me on the phone.
Other Ways to Say: Look who is here / Right on time
13. Jump on the bandwagon
Meaning: To join a popular activity or trend that everyone else is doing.
For Example: Once the new video game became popular, all the students jumped on the bandwagon. / I decided to jump on the bandwagon and join the school art club.
Other Ways to Say: Follow the crowd / Join in
14. Cost an arm and a leg
Meaning: To be extremely expensive.
For Example: Those brand new basketball shoes cost an arm and a leg. / I wanted to buy the giant skateboard, but it cost an arm and a leg.
Other Ways to Say: Very expensive / Cost a fortune
15. Hit the nail on the head
Meaning: To describe or guess something with exact accuracy.
For Example: Your answer to the riddle hit the nail on the head. / The teacher said my explanation of the story hit the nail on the head.
Other Ways to Say: Get it right / Spot on
16. Pull someone’s leg
Meaning: To joke or tease someone by telling them something untrue.
For Example: Are you actually going to shave your head, or are you just pulling my leg? / My brother tried to pull my leg by saying school was canceled on Saturday.
Other Ways to Say: Tease someone / Play a trick
17. Spill the beans
Meaning: To share a secret, often by accident.
For Example: We tried to keep the surprise party a secret, but my little brother spilled the beans. / Don’t spill the beans about the winner of the class election.
Other Ways to Say: Reveal a secret / Let the secret out
18. Face the music
Meaning: To accept the unpleasant results of your own actions.
For Example: I forgot to do my homework, so I had to face the music in class. / When you break a rule, you need to step up and face the music.
Other Ways to Say: Accept consequences / Face reality
19. Get out of hand
Meaning: To become wild and difficult to control.
For Example: The playful snowball fight quickly got out of hand in the yard. / When the teacher stepped out, the noise in the classroom got out of hand.
Other Ways to Say: Become uncontrollable / Spiral out of control
20. Give someone a hand
Meaning: To help someone with a task.
For Example: Can you give me a hand carrying these heavy art supplies to the room? / My friend was struggling with math, so I offered to give her a hand.
Other Ways to Say: Help out / Lend assistance
21. Head in the clouds
Meaning: To be daydreaming or not paying attention to what is happening.
For Example: Stop walking with your head in the clouds or you might trip over something. / He missed the instructions because his head was in the clouds.
Other Ways to Say: Daydreaming / Not paying attention
22. In hot water
Meaning: To be in trouble.
For Example: Leaving the back door wide open got me in hot water with my parents. / If you do not turn in your project, you will be in hot water.
Other Ways to Say: In trouble / Facing trouble
23. Keep an eye on
Meaning: To watch or take care of something carefully.
For Example: Can you keep an eye on my backpack while I grab a drink of water? / The teacher asked us to keep an eye on the classroom timer.
Other Ways to Say: Watch closely / Keep watch
24. Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: To reveal a secret before it is supposed to be known.
For Example: I accidentally let the cat out of the bag about our upcoming field trip. / Try not to let the cat out of the bag before the surprise assembly.
Other Ways to Say: Reveal a secret / Give away the surprise
25. Make a mountain out of a molehill
Meaning: To make a small problem seem much bigger than it really is.
For Example: Missing one question on a quiz is no big deal, so do not make a mountain out of a molehill. / She lost one colored pencil and made a mountain out of a molehill.
Other Ways to Say: Overreact / Blow things out of proportion
26. On cloud nine
Meaning: To feel extremely happy and joyful.
For Example: When I found out I made the school soccer team, I was on cloud nine. / Winning the science fair put her on cloud nine for the rest of the week.
Other Ways to Say: Extremely happy / Overjoyed
27. Pass with flying colors
Meaning: To pass a test or challenge with a very high score and great success.
For Example: She prepared for weeks and managed to pass the final exam with flying colors. / Our group project passed with flying colors and earned praise from the principal.
Other Ways to Say: Succeed brilliantly / Ace it
28. Raining cats and dogs
Meaning: To rain very heavily.
For Example: We had to cancel outdoor recess because it was raining cats and dogs outside. / Grab your umbrella because it is raining cats and dogs right now.
Other Ways to Say: Pouring rain / Heavy rainfall
29. Saved by the bell
Meaning: To be rescued from a difficult situation at the very last second.
For Example: I didn’t know the answer to the question, but I was saved by the bell. / Just as the argument got too loud, the school bell rang and we were saved by the bell.
Other Ways to Say: Rescued at the last second / Saved just in time
30. Take it easy
Meaning: To relax and not work too hard.
For Example: After a long week of tests, I plan to take it easy this weekend. / The coach told us to take it easy during practice today.
Other Ways to Say: Relax / Take a break
31. Through thick and thin
Meaning: Through good times and bad times together.
For Example: My best friend has supported me through thick and thin since elementary school. / True friends stick together through thick and thin.
Other Ways to Say: Through good and bad / Always supportive
32. Under the table
Meaning: Done in secret or in a dishonest way.
For Example: Trading answers during a test under the table is against school rules. / We wanted everything we did for the club project to be fair and honest, nothing under the table.
Other Ways to Say: Secretive / Hidden
33. Wake up call
Meaning: An event that warns you to change your habits or behavior.
For Example: Getting a low grade on my first quiz was a wake up call to study more. / Missing the bus served as a wake up call to wake up earlier.
Other Ways to Say: Warning sign / Reality check
34. Your guess is as good as mine
Meaning: To have no idea about the answer to a question.
For Example: When someone asked when the assembly would end, I said your guess is as good as mine. / Where did I leave my jacket? Your guess is as good as mine.
Other Ways to Say: I have no idea / Nobody knows
35. Apple of my eye
Meaning: Someone who is cherished above all others.
For Example: My little sister is the apple of my eye. / That loyal dog is the apple of my grandfather’s eye.
Other Ways to Say: Favorite person / Treasured one
36. Back to the drawing board
Meaning: To start over after a plan fails.
For Example: Our robot design broke during the test, so it was back to the drawing board. / When my first story idea didn’t work, I went back to the drawing board.
Other Ways to Say: Start over / Try a new plan
37. Blessing in disguise
Meaning: Something that seems bad at first, but turns out to be good.
For Example: Missing the bus turned out to be a blessing in disguise because I found my lost notebook. / Getting caught in the rain made us stay inside and play games, which was a blessing in disguise.
Other Ways to Say: Hidden blessing / Good turn of events
38. Cry over spilt milk
Meaning: To waste time worrying about something that has already happened and cannot be changed.
For Example: I dropped my lunch tray, but there is no use crying over spilt milk. / You cannot change yesterday’s score, so do not cry over spilt milk.
Other Ways to Say: Waste time worrying / Move on
39. Cut corners
Meaning: To do something in the easiest or cheapest way, often reducing quality.
For Example: If you cut corners on your project, it will not look very neat. / Do not cut corners when you are cleaning your room.
Other Ways to Say: Take shortcuts / Do a quick job
40. Every dog has its day
Meaning: Everyone gets a chance to be successful at some point.
For Example: Even though I lost today, I know every dog has its day. / Keep trying your best because every dog has its day.
Other Ways to Say: Everyone gets a turn / Success will come
41. Get cold feet
Meaning: To become nervous or scared right before doing something important.
For Example: Right before going on stage, I got cold feet and wanted to hide. / He almost got cold feet before giving his speech in front of the school.
Other Ways to Say: Get nervous / Lose courage
42. Give someone the benefit of the doubt
Meaning: To trust that someone is telling the truth even if you are not sure.
For Example: Even though he was late, I gave him the benefit of the doubt that he missed his bus. / The teacher gave us the benefit of the doubt about our missing homework.
Other Ways to Say: Trust someone / Believe them
43. Hang in there
Meaning: To keep going and not give up during a tough time.
For Example: Middle school can be stressful at times, but just hang in there. / Hang in there, the weekend is almost here.
Other Ways to Say: Don’t give up / Keep going
44. Hit the sack
Meaning: To go to bed to sleep.
For Example: I am so tired after soccer practice that I am ready to hit the sack. / Let’s finish our homework so we can hit the sack early.
Other Ways to Say: Go to sleep / Go to bed
45. In the same boat
Meaning: To be in the same difficult situation as someone else.
For Example: None of us finished the tricky math worksheet, so we are all in the same boat. / We are both nervous about the presentation, so we are in the same boat.
Other Ways to Say: Sharing the same situation / In the same spot
46. Jump the gun
Meaning: To start doing something too early before it is time.
For Example: Don’t open your exam papers yet or you will jump the gun. / He started running before the whistle blew and jumped the gun.
Other Ways to Say: Start too early / Act too soon
47. Keep your fingers crossed
Meaning: To hope for good luck or a good result.
For Example: We kept our fingers crossed that our class would win the spirit trophy. / Keep your fingers crossed that we get a snow day tomorrow.
Other Ways to Say: Hope for the best / Wish for luck
48. Let sleeping dogs lie
Meaning: To leave a problem alone if it is not causing trouble right now.
For Example: The past argument was over, so we decided to let sleeping dogs lie. / Don’t bring up old drama; just let sleeping dogs lie.
Other Ways to Say: Leave it alone / Don’t stir up trouble
49. Miss the boat
Meaning: To miss an opportunity or chance to do something.
For Example: If you don’t sign up for the club today, you might miss the boat. / I waited too long to buy concert tickets and missed the boat.
Other Ways to Say: Miss out / Lose the chance
50. Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Something that happens very rarely.
For Example: It only snows in our town once in a blue moon. / We get pizza for school lunch once in a blue moon.
Other Ways to Say: Very rarely / Seldom
51. Pulling someone’s chain
Meaning: To tease or trick someone playfully.
For Example: Are you serious about that rule, or are you just pulling my chain? / My friend laughed because he knew he was pulling my chain.
Other Ways to Say: Tease / Play around
52. Rule of thumb
Meaning: A general rule or guideline that is usually true.
For Example: A good rule of thumb is to study a little bit every single night. / As a rule of thumb, always check your backpack before leaving school.
Other Ways to Say: General guideline / Good rule
53. See eye to eye
Meaning: To agree with someone on something.
For Example: My best friend and I don’t always see eye to eye on which movie to watch. / The team members finally saw eye to eye on the project topic.
Other Ways to Say: Agree / Share the same view
54. Steal someone’s thunder
Meaning: To take the attention or praise away from someone else.
For Example: I told everyone my good news, but my brother stole my thunder by sharing his news first. / Try not to steal your friend’s thunder on their birthday.
Other Ways to Say: Take the spotlight / Steal the show
55. Take with a grain of salt
Meaning: To not completely believe something you hear because it might not be true.
For Example: He exaggerates his stories, so you should take what he says with a grain of salt. / I took the rumor about the schedule change with a grain of salt.
Other Ways to Say: Be skeptical / Doubt a little
56. The ball is in your court
Meaning: It is your turn to make a decision or take action.
For Example: I gave you my advice, so now the ball is in your court. / You have to decide which club to join because the ball is in your court.
Other Ways to Say: It’s your turn / Up to you
57. Throw in the towel
Meaning: To give up and stop trying.
For Example: Even though the puzzle was hard, we refused to throw in the towel. / Don’t throw in the towel just because you missed one practice.
Other Ways to Say: Give up / Quit
58. Under lock and key
Meaning: Kept in a very safe and secure place.
For Example: The test answers were kept under lock and key in the office. / My secret diary is locked away under lock and key.
Other Ways to Say: Locked away / Kept safe
59. Walking on air
Meaning: To feel extremely happy and excited.
For Example: When I scored the winning goal, I felt like I was walking on air. / She was walking on air after getting her art project chosen for the display.
Other Ways to Say: Extremely happy / Floating on air
60. You can’t judge a book by its cover
Meaning: You cannot tell what someone or something is like just by looking at the outside.
For Example: The quiet student turned out to be an amazing comedian, proving you can’t judge a book by its cover. / That old book looked boring, but it was a great adventure story because you can’t judge a book by its cover.
Other Ways to Say: Looks can be deceiving / Don’t judge by appearances
Exercise to Practice
- We need to ________ before the big math test tomorrow afternoon.
- After forgetting my lunchbox at home, I felt a bit ________.
- Spelling the tricky vocabulary words correctly was an absolute ________.
- Don’t worry about missing one question; there is no use crying over ________.
- When the teacher stepped out of the classroom, the noise level quickly got ________.
- Can you please ________ carrying these heavy science textbooks down the hall?
- When I forgot to do my chores, I knew I was going to be in ________.
- Even though the science project was difficult, we decided not to throw in the ________.
- Winning the school art contest put my best friend on ________.
- The substitute teacher tried to ________ us by saying we had three hours of homework.
- My older sister helped me ________ of the new middle school schedule.
- I studied every single night and managed to pass the history final with ________.
- My best friend and I always stick together through thick and ________.
- When the fire alarm went off during math class, we were saved by the ________.
- Everyone started wearing those new sneakers, so I decided to jump on the ________.
Answer Key
- hit the books
- under the weather
- piece of cake
- spilt milk
- out of hand
- give me a hand
- hot water
- towel
- cloud nine
- pull our chain
- learn the ropes
- flying colors
- thin
- bell
- bandwagon
Conclusion
Learning idioms helps 7th graders express their thoughts in fun, creative ways that make conversation much more interesting. These colorful expressions add humor and clear pictures to everyday school stories.
Try using one or two of these phrases in a conversation with a friend or family member this week. You will be amazed at how quickly using idioms becomes a fun habit!
