20 English idioms about success to raise the bar on your writing and take you on the road to victory on your exams
- From ‘go the extra mile’ to ‘move mountains’, show off the fruits of your labour with these phrases about hard work and success
- Putting in blood, sweat and tears is not all it takes – it’s just as important to work smart, too
There are no secrets to success – it is the result of preparation, dedication and simply doing your best. Photo: Shutterstock We all know it’s no easy feat being a student – long hours of poring over books, not to mention the hundreds of essays to churn out. Here are some idioms to remind you why it’s all worth it at the end of the day when you finally have a taste of sweet success.
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1. Be on a roll
Meaning: To experience a prolonged spell of success or good luck
Example: The award-winning young cellist is on a roll sweeping up accolades in every competition.
2. Bend over backwards
Meaning: Make every effort to achieve something, especially to be fair or helpful
Example: I learned from my dad to bend over backwards to help those in need.
3. Blood, sweat and tears
Meaning: Extremely hard work; unrelenting effort
Example: He is pouring in his blood, sweat and tears to get a PhD.
4. Burning the candle at both ends
Meaning: To do more than one ought to; to overextend oneself
Example: My uncle’s doctor said his illness was brought on by stress and recommended that he stop burning the candle at both ends.
5. Get cracking
Meaning: Act quickly and decisively
Example: You better get cracking for the internship interview tomorrow.
6. Go into overdrive
Meaning: To begin to work very hard; to perform intensely or very well
Example: When the publishing deadline was moved up a week, we had to go into overdrive to get all of the articles done on time.
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7. Go the extra mile
Meaning: Make a special effort to achieve something
Example: We go the extra mile to look after the elderly because they have contributed so much to society, and we want to thank them with our services.
8. Hang in there
Meaning: Remain persistent and determined in difficult circumstances
Example: I know you have gone through a lot of difficulties, but hang in there – things can only improve from here.
9. Hit the books
Meaning: To begin to study in a serious and determined way
Example: I have to hit the books this weekend – I have two exams next week.
10. Hit the jackpot
Meaning: Have great or unexpected success, especially in making a lot of money quickly
Example: JK Rowling hit the jackpot with her hugely successful Harry Potter series.
11. Jump through hoops
Meaning: Go through an elaborate or complicated procedure to achieve an objective
Example: We had to jump through a lot of hoops to get funding to develop our app – nobody gives away money without making you work for it.
12. Keep one’s nose to the grindstone
Meaning: Work hard and continuously
Example: Determined to become a doctor, she kept her nose to the grindstone all through secondary school and university.
13. Kill two birds with one stone
Meaning: Achieve two aims at once
Example: Getting enough sleep kills two birds with one stone – you rest your body and help your mind remember what it has learned.
14. Make a comeback
Meaning: Achieve success after retirement or failure
Example: The fencer expressed confidence that he would make his comeback after undergoing surgery for his injury.
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15. Make the cut
Meaning: To succeed at something or meet a requirement; to be chosen out of a field of candidates or possibilities
Example: I am sorry you did not make the cut this year, but maybe you can apply again next year!
16. Move mountains
Meaning: to do something that seems impossible, particularly when love or a particular belief makes you feel determined to succeed
Example: I believe if we all work together, our passion can move mountains and create a better future.
17. Raise the bar
Meaning: To set a higher standard for other people to follow
Example: The Olympian plans to raise the bar for other athletes by setting a new world record.
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18. Stay the course
Meaning: Pursue a difficult task to the end
Example: We’ll succeed in the end if we just stay the course.
19. Where there’s a will, there’s a way
Meaning: Determination will overcome any obstacle
Example: I know it will be difficult for us to win this game, but where there’s a will, there’s a way.
20. Work your fingers to the bone
Meaning: Work very hard
Example: We lived in a tiny flat and had no money, so my mother had to work her fingers to the bone every day to feed our family.