Mastering idioms is one of the most effective ways to demonstrate advanced English proficiency in your IELTS Speaking test. While common idioms like “break the ice” or “piece of cake” are well-known, using less common but equally powerful expressions can significantly boost your band score. These 100 carefully selected idioms will help you express complex ideas naturally and showcase sophisticated language use across all three parts of the IELTS Speaking test.
Part 1: Personal Questions and Daily Life
Describing Habits and Routines
1. Cut corners
Meaning: To do something in the easiest or cheapest way, often compromising quality
Example: “I never cut corners when it comes to my morning routine because it sets the tone for my entire day.”
2. Burn the midnight oil
Meaning: To work late into the night
Example: “During exam season, I often burn the midnight oil to ensure I’m well-prepared.”
3. Keep your nose to the grindstone
Meaning: To work hard and continuously
Example: “My father always told me to keep my nose to the grindstone if I wanted to achieve my goals.”
4. Strike while the iron is hot
Meaning: To take advantage of an opportunity immediately
Example: “When I saw the job posting, I decided to strike while the iron is hot and apply immediately.”
5. Go the extra mile
Meaning: To make an additional effort beyond what’s expected
Example: “My teacher always goes the extra mile to help students understand difficult concepts.”
Expressing Preferences and Opinions
6. Not my cup of tea
Meaning: Something that doesn’t appeal to you or suit your taste
Example: “Horror movies really aren’t my cup of tea; I much prefer romantic comedies.”
7. Take it with a grain of salt
Meaning: To be skeptical about information
Example: “I take most social media news with a grain of salt because it’s often unreliable.”
8. See eye to eye
Meaning: To agree completely with someone
Example: “My sister and I don’t always see eye to eye on music, but we respect each other’s choices.”
9. On the fence
Meaning: Unable to decide between two options
Example: “I’m still on the fence about which university to attend next year.”
10. Hit the nail on the head
Meaning: To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem
Example: “When my friend said I was stressed about the interview, she really hit the nail on the head.”
Describing Experiences and Feelings
11. Over the moon
Meaning: Extremely happy and excited
Example: “I was over the moon when I received my acceptance letter from university.”
12. Walk on air
Meaning: To feel very happy and excited
Example: “After getting promoted, I felt like I was walking on air for weeks.”
13. Down in the dumps
Meaning: Feeling sad or depressed
Example: “I was down in the dumps after failing my driving test, but I quickly bounced back.”
14. Bite off more than you can chew
Meaning: To take on more responsibility than you can handle
Example: “I think I bit off more than I could chew when I signed up for five courses this semester.”
15. A blessing in disguise
Meaning: Something that seems bad but turns out to be good
Example: “Missing that flight was actually a blessing in disguise because the next one had better seats.”
Part 2: Long Turn (Individual Presentation)
Describing People and Relationships
16. Cut from the same cloth
Meaning: Very similar in character or behavior
Example: “My best friend and I are cut from the same cloth; we both love adventure and trying new things.”
17. A shoulder to cry on
Meaning: Someone who provides emotional support
Example: “During difficult times, my grandmother has always been a shoulder to cry on.”
18. Thick as thieves
Meaning: Very close friends
Example: “My college roommates and I became thick as thieves during our first semester.”
19. A fair-weather friend
Meaning: Someone who is only friendly during good times
Example: “I realized she was just a fair-weather friend when she disappeared during my family crisis.”
20. The apple of someone’s eye
Meaning: Someone who is cherished above others
Example: “My little nephew is clearly the apple of his grandmother’s eye.”
Describing Places and Environments
21. Off the beaten track
Meaning: In an isolated or remote location
Example: “We discovered this charming café off the beaten track during our hiking trip.”
22. A stone’s throw away
Meaning: Very close in distance
Example: “The convenience of living just a stone’s throw away from the university campus was incredible.”
23. In the middle of nowhere
Meaning: In a very remote location
Example: “The retreat center was in the middle of nowhere, which made it perfect for digital detox.”
24. A breath of fresh air
Meaning: Something refreshing and different
Example: “Moving from the crowded city to this small town was like a breath of fresh air.”
25. Home is where the heart is
Meaning: Home is where you feel most comfortable and loved
Example: “Even though I travel frequently, home is where the heart is, and I always feel most relaxed there.”
Describing Events and Experiences
26. Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Very rarely
Example: “My family only gets together for reunions once in a blue moon, which makes them extra special.”
27. The calm before the storm
Meaning: A peaceful period before something chaotic happens
Example: “The quiet morning was the calm before the storm of our wedding preparations.”
28. Turn over a new leaf
Meaning: To start behaving in a better way
Example: “After my health scare, I decided to turn over a new leaf and adopt a healthier lifestyle.”
29. Cross that bridge when you come to it
Meaning: To deal with a problem when it actually happens
Example: “I’m not worried about finding accommodation yet; I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.”
30. The last straw
Meaning: The final problem that makes you lose patience
Example: “When my laptop crashed during finals week, that was the last straw, and I decided to buy a new one.”
Describing Objects and Possessions
31. Worth its weight in gold
Meaning: Extremely valuable or useful
Example: “This old cookbook from my grandmother is worth its weight in gold to our family.”
32. A dime a dozen
Meaning: Very common and not special
Example: “Basic smartphones are a dime a dozen these days, but finding one with excellent camera quality is harder.”
33. The bee’s knees
Meaning: Something excellent or outstanding
Example: “This new coffee machine is the bee’s knees; it makes the perfect espresso every time.”
34. Fit like a glove
Meaning: To fit perfectly
Example: “This jacket fits like a glove; it’s exactly what I was looking for.”
35. Good as new
Meaning: In excellent condition, as if recently made
Example: “After the repair, my bicycle was as good as new and ready for long rides again.”
Part 3: Discussion and Abstract Topics
Discussing Change and Development
36. Move with the times
Meaning: To change and adapt to modern ways
Example: “Traditional businesses need to move with the times and embrace digital technology to survive.”
37. Turn the tide
Meaning: To change the direction or outcome of something
Example: “Environmental awareness campaigns are beginning to turn the tide on plastic pollution.”
38. Winds of change
Meaning: Signs that important changes are coming
Example: “You can feel the winds of change in the education sector with the rise of online learning.”
39. Break new ground
Meaning: To do something innovative or pioneering
Example: “This research is breaking new ground in understanding climate change effects.”
40. Back to the drawing board
Meaning: To start planning something again because previous attempts failed
Example: “When the initial policy failed, the government had to go back to the drawing board.”
Discussing Society and Culture
41. Cut both ways
Meaning: To have both positive and negative effects
Example: “Social media cuts both ways; it connects people globally but can also spread misinformation.”
42. A double-edged sword
Meaning: Something that has both advantages and disadvantages
Example: “Technology in education is a double-edged sword; it enhances learning but can also create distractions.”
43. The tip of the iceberg
Meaning: A small visible part of a much larger problem
Example: “The recent protests are just the tip of the iceberg regarding social inequality issues.”
44. Bridge the gap
Meaning: To reduce the difference between two things
Example: “Educational programs aim to bridge the gap between privileged and underprivileged communities.”
45. Level the playing field
Meaning: To make things fair for everyone
Example: “Scholarship programs help level the playing field for students from different economic backgrounds.”
Discussing Problems and Solutions
46. Nip it in the bud
Meaning: To stop a problem before it becomes serious
Example: “Schools should nip bullying in the bud before it escalates into more serious issues.”
47. A bitter pill to swallow
Meaning: An unpleasant truth that must be accepted
Example: “Accepting that fossil fuels must be reduced is a bitter pill to swallow for many industries.”
48. Fight fire with fire
Meaning: To use similar methods as your opponent
Example: “Sometimes you have to fight fire with fire when dealing with cybercrime.”
49. Throw in the towel
Meaning: To give up or admit defeat
Example: “Many small businesses had to throw in the towel during the economic downturn.”
50. Against all odds
Meaning: Despite very low probability of success
Example: “Against all odds, the community managed to save their local library from closure.”
Discussing Technology and Innovation
51. Push the envelope
Meaning: To go beyond normal limits
Example: “Tech companies constantly push the envelope to create more innovative products.”
52. Stay ahead of the curve
Meaning: To be more advanced than others
Example: “Successful businesses must stay ahead of the curve in adopting new technologies.”
53. Reinvent the wheel
Meaning: To waste time creating something that already exists
Example: “There’s no need to reinvent the wheel; we should use existing software solutions.”
54. A quantum leap
Meaning: A sudden large improvement or advance
Example: “Artificial intelligence represents a quantum leap in computing capabilities.”
55. Cutting-edge
Meaning: The most advanced stage of development
Example: “This university is known for its cutting-edge research in renewable energy.”
Expressing Complex Ideas
56. In a nutshell
Meaning: Summarized in a few words
Example: “In a nutshell, climate change requires immediate global action to prevent catastrophic consequences.”
57. Food for thought
Meaning: Something worth thinking about seriously
Example: “The documentary about ocean pollution really gave me food for thought about my lifestyle choices.”
58. A can of worms
Meaning: A complicated problem that creates many more problems
Example: “Changing the education system is opening a can of worms that affects teachers, students, and parents.”
59. The whole nine yards
Meaning: Everything; the complete effort
Example: “When organizing the conference, we went the whole nine yards to ensure every detail was perfect.”
60. By the same token
Meaning: Similarly; in the same way
Example: “Exercise improves physical health, and by the same token, reading enhances mental wellbeing.”
Discussing Consequences and Results
61. Reap what you sow
Meaning: To experience consequences of your actions
Example: “Companies that ignore environmental responsibility will eventually reap what they sow.”
62. Come full circle
Meaning: To return to the original position or state
Example: “Fashion trends often come full circle; what was popular decades ago becomes trendy again.”
63. Open a can of worms
Meaning: To create complicated problems
Example: “Discussing salary transparency can open a can of worms in workplace dynamics.”
64. Snowball effect
Meaning: A situation that grows rapidly out of control
Example: “Small acts of kindness can create a snowball effect, inspiring others to be generous.”
65. Ripple effect
Meaning: A continuing effect or influence
Example: “Economic changes in major countries have a ripple effect on global markets.”
Advanced Expressions for Complex Topics
66. A wake-up call
Meaning: An event that alerts people to danger or problems
Example: “The pandemic served as a wake-up call about the importance of global health cooperation.”
67. Test the waters
Meaning: To try something cautiously to see if it works
Example: “Before implementing major reforms, governments should test the waters with pilot programs.”
68. Paddle your own canoe
Meaning: To be independent and self-reliant
Example: “In today’s economy, young people need to learn to paddle their own canoe and create opportunities.”
69. Weather the storm
Meaning: To survive a difficult period
Example: “Small businesses that managed to weather the storm of the recession became stronger.”
70. Cast a wide net
Meaning: To consider many options or possibilities
Example: “When searching for solutions to unemployment, policymakers should cast a wide net.”
Discussing Future Trends and Possibilities
71. The writing is on the wall
Meaning: Signs clearly indicate what will happen
Example: “With declining sales, the writing was on the wall for the traditional bookstore industry.”
72. A shot in the dark
Meaning: A guess with little chance of success
Example: “Investing in that startup was a shot in the dark, but it paid off tremendously.”
73. Crystal ball
Meaning: The ability to predict the future
Example: “Nobody has a crystal ball to predict exactly how artificial intelligence will develop.”
74. Ahead of the game
Meaning: Having an advantage over competitors
Example: “Countries investing in renewable energy now will be ahead of the game in the future.”
75. Behind the times
Meaning: Old-fashioned or not keeping up with current trends
Example: “Some educational institutions are behind the times in adopting digital learning tools.”
Sophisticated Expressions for Analysis
76. Two sides of the same coin
Meaning: Two aspects of the same situation
Example: “Economic growth and environmental protection are often seen as two sides of the same coin.”
77. A slippery slope
Meaning: A course of action likely to lead to something bad
Example: “Censoring social media content can be a slippery slope toward limiting freedom of expression.”
78. The elephant in the room
Meaning: An obvious problem that everyone ignores
Example: “Climate change is the elephant in the room that many politicians refuse to address adequately.”
79. A drop in the ocean
Meaning: A very small amount compared to what’s needed
Example: “Individual recycling efforts, while important, are just a drop in the ocean without systemic change.”
80. Add fuel to the fire
Meaning: To make a bad situation worse
Example: “Inflammatory social media posts often add fuel to the fire during controversial debates.”
Final Advanced Expressions
81. Barking up the wrong tree
Meaning: Pursuing the wrong course of action or making incorrect assumptions
Example: “Those who blame technology for all social problems are barking up the wrong tree.”
82. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch
Meaning: Don’t assume something will happen before it actually does
Example: “While the economic indicators look positive, we shouldn’t count our chickens before they hatch.”
83. Put all your eggs in one basket
Meaning: To risk everything on a single venture
Example: “Relying solely on tourism puts all eggs in one basket for the country’s economy.”
84. Kill two birds with one stone
Meaning: To accomplish two things with a single action
Example: “Cycling to work kills two birds with one stone: exercise and eco-friendly transportation.”
85. Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater
Meaning: Don’t discard something valuable while getting rid of unwanted elements
Example: “While reforming education, we shouldn’t throw the baby out with the bathwater by eliminating proven methods.”
86. Rome wasn’t built in a day
Meaning: Important things take time to achieve
Example: “Creating sustainable cities requires patience; after all, Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
87. When it rains, it pours
Meaning: Problems often come all at once
Example: “First the pandemic, then economic troubles, and now climate disasters – when it rains, it pours.”
88. Every cloud has a silver lining
Meaning: Every bad situation has some positive aspect
Example: “The lockdown was difficult, but every cloud has a silver lining – families spent more quality time together.”
89. Actions speak louder than words
Meaning: What you do is more important than what you say
Example: “When it comes to environmental protection, actions speak louder than words.”
90. Better late than never
Meaning: It’s better to do something late than not at all
Example: “The government’s climate action plan is delayed, but better late than never.”
91. Don’t judge a book by its cover
Meaning: Don’t form opinions based on appearance alone
Example: “Online education seemed inferior initially, but we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.”
92. The devil is in the details
Meaning: Small details can cause big problems
Example: “The policy sounds good in theory, but the devil is in the details of implementation.”
93. Time heals all wounds
Meaning: Emotional pain diminishes over time
Example: “After major social upheavals, time heals all wounds, and communities eventually recover.”
94. You can’t have your cake and eat it too
Meaning: You can’t have two good things that contradict each other
Example: “Countries want economic growth and environmental protection, but you can’t have your cake and eat it too.”
95. The grass is always greener on the other side
Meaning: Other situations always seem better than your own
Example: “People often think life abroad is perfect, but the grass is always greener on the other side.”
96. A picture is worth a thousand words
Meaning: Visual images convey meaning more effectively than descriptions
Example: “In raising awareness about poverty, a picture is worth a thousand words.”
97. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire
Meaning: Rumors usually have some basis in truth
Example: “With all these corruption allegations, where there’s smoke, there’s fire.”
98. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink
Meaning: You can provide opportunities, but you can’t force someone to take advantage of them
Example: “We can provide educational resources, but you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.”
99. The squeaky wheel gets the grease
Meaning: Those who complain the most get attention
Example: “In politics, the squeaky wheel gets the grease – vocal groups often get their demands met.”
100. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
Meaning: Don’t risk everything in one area
Example: “Diversifying your skills is wise; don’t put all your eggs in one basket in today’s job market.”
Tips for Using Idioms Effectively in IELTS Speaking
Natural Integration
Remember that idioms should flow naturally in your speech. Don’t force them into your answers if they don’t fit the context. It’s better to use fewer idioms correctly than many incorrectly.
Pronunciation and Stress
Practice the correct pronunciation and stress patterns of these idioms. Many have specific rhythm patterns that native speakers recognize.
Cultural Appropriateness
Ensure you understand the cultural context and register of each idiom. Some are more formal than others and should be used accordingly.
Practice in Context
Practice using these idioms in mock speaking sessions. Record yourself using them in different contexts to build confidence.
Quality Over Quantity
Focus on using a few idioms perfectly rather than attempting to use many unsuccessfully. Examiners prefer natural, accurate usage over forced expressions.
Conclusion
Mastering these 100 high-scoring idioms will significantly enhance your IELTS Speaking performance. They demonstrate sophisticated language use, cultural awareness, and natural English expression. Remember to practice them in context, understand their meanings thoroughly, and use them naturally in your responses. These expressions will help you stand out from other candidates and achieve the band score you’re aiming for.
Start incorporating these idioms gradually into your daily English practice, and soon they’ll become a natural part of your speaking repertoire. Good luck with your IELTS Speaking test!
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