English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Crash course
Meaning
The idiom "crash course" refers to a rapid, intensive, and comprehensive learning experience that covers all the important topics or skills necessary for a particular activity or goal. It is often used to describe a short-term or emergency training program that requires participants to learn quickly and efficiently.
Usage
- The new employees will undergo a crash course on company policies before they start working.
- John decided to take a crash course in public speaking for his upcoming presentation at work.
- After the accident, the driver took a crash course in defensive driving to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
- The athlete took a crash course in sports psychology to improve her mental game.
- The student enrolled in a crash course on programming to catch up with his peers in computer science class.
Roots and History
The origin of the idiom "crash course" is uncertain, but it has been used since at least the 19th century. One theory suggests that it comes from the term "crash landing," which refers to a sudden or unexpected descent of an aircraft or spacecraft. This idea is supported by the fact that the term was first used in aviation in the early 20th century and later expanded to include other fields such as education, sports, and business. Over time, the meaning and usage of the idiom have evolved to reflect changes in language and culture. For example, in the past, "crash course" may have been used more frequently in academic or professional contexts, but today it is often used in a broader range of situations such as personal development or self-improvement.
Synonyms in English
- Intensive training program
- Rapid learning experience
- Comprehensive learning plan
- Emergency education
- Short-term learning opportunity
Synonyms in other languages
- 教程 (Japanese) - a comprehensive course or program of study
- Дисциплина (Spanish) - a subject or field of study
- Kurzweiligues Lernen (German) - rapid learning or studying
- Kursus (Swedish) - a course or program of study
- Leçons (French) - lessons or instruction in a particular subject