hit the books

Preview（腕試し）

Ayumi: Have you been studying for the Eiken recently?

Chihiro: Not really. I'd better start hitting the books soon.

Chihiro will start:

A. abusing her books

B. studying hard

C. reading more books for fun

　

Explanation（説明）

This idiom is used to say that someone is studying hard, especially if the studying is done intensively (such as for an upcoming exam).

Jorge had better start hitting the books--he's taking the TOEFL next month and he hasn't been studying much lately.　

I always intend to study everyday, but I never really hit the books until just before a test.

　

Exercises （練習）

Choose the best answer.

1. Yumi didn't look at her notebook for two months, but she finally ____________ last week.

A. hit the books

B. hitted the books

C. threw out her books

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2. Keishi has been hitting the books pretty hard lately. He ____________ .

A. should study more

B. is lazy

C. can relax