Essential Idioms to Master for IELTS Success

Do you remember your grandma using local idioms while telling you an interesting story? Those idioms in our local languages are poles apart from English idioms that play a key part in cracking the lexical vocabulary section in the IELTS exam. In the IELTS test, idioms have a distinctive role because they can assist you in exhibiting your grasp of English. Idioms enhance communication in both the speaking and writing sections, making your responses more natural and fluent. Using idiomatic expressions, you can elevate your language, impress examiners, and boost your IELTS score. So if you’re aiming for a high IELTS score, idioms can help you achieve it. Read about idioms, what they are, and learn essential idioms to increase your score.

What is an Idiom?

An idiom is a phrase or expression with a meaning different from the literal meaning of its words. It's a figurative language element that conveys a particular idea or sentiment unique to a culture or language. Idioms add colour and personality to communication, making conversations more engaging and expressive.

For example, when someone says, "I was over the moon when I saw my results," they don't mean they were literally above the moon. It actually means they were very happy about their results. We use idioms a lot in everyday conversations without even realizing them because we grew up hearing them. For language learners, mastering idioms is essential for achieving fluency and sounding more like a native speaker. But you need to learn how to use them correctly, so you don't sound strange.

What are phrasal verbs?

Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb and a preposition or adverb that together, create a new meaning different from the original verb.? For instance, "give up" means to stop trying. They are common in English and essential for language proficiency, adding richness to both formal and informal conversations.

Phrasal verbs can be separable or inseparable. In separable phrasal verbs, the object can come between the verb and the particle, e.g., "turn off the lights" or "turn the lights off." In inseparable phrasal verbs, the object must follow the particle, e.g., "look after the kids" (not "look the kids after"). Understanding phrasal verbs helps you sound more natural in English. For instance, instead of saying "continue," you might use "carry on," which gives your speech a more relaxed tone.

Common Idioms You Need to Know for IELTS

Here are some commonly used idioms for the IELTS exam, along with their meanings and examples which can add depth to your communication. Mastering everyday idioms can enhance your fluency and make your responses sound more natural.

• Break the ice Meaning: Make people feel more comfortable. Example: "To break the ice, the host made a joke at the beginning of the meeting."
• Piece of cake Meaning: Something very easy. Example: "This exam was a piece of cake compared to the last one."
• A blessing in disguise Meaning: A good thing that seemed bad at first. Example: "Losing that job was a blessing in disguise; I found a better one soon after."
• Burn the midnight oil Meaning: Work late into the night. Example: "I had to burn the midnight oil to finish my assignment."
• On cloud nine Meaning: Very happy. Example: "She’s been on cloud nine since getting the promotion."
• A hot potato Meaning: Something very controversial. Example: “Discrimination and rap are hot potatoes in India these days.”
• Let the cat out of the bag Meaning: Reveal a secret unintentionally. Example: "She let the cat out of the bag at the surprise party."
• Miss the boat Meaning: Miss an opportunity. Example: "I missed the boat on investing in that company."
• Costs an arm and a leg Meaning: Very expensive. Example: "The new phone costs an arm and a leg."
• Under the weather Meaning: Feeling sick. Example: "I’m feeling a bit under the weather today."

Advanced Idioms for Achieving a Higher Band Score

Using more complex idioms can elevate your language skills and impress examiners. These idioms add depth to your essays and speaking responses, helping you achieve a higher band score. Take a look at some Advanced Idioms that can elevate your performance.

• The ball is in your court Meaning: It’s your decision or responsibility. Example: "I’ve done my part; now the ball is in your court."
• Barking up the wrong tree Meaning: Pursuing a mistaken or misguided course. Example: "If you think I’m responsible for the mistake, you’re barking up the wrong tree."
• Bite off more than you can chew Meaning: Take on more than one can handle. Example: "He bit off more than he could chew with all those assignments."
• Jump on the bandwagon Meaning: Join a popular trend or activity. Example: "Everyone is jumping on the bandwagon of this new diet."
• Kill two birds with one stone Meaning: Achieve two things with one action. Example: "I killed two birds with one stone by picking up dinner and visiting a friend on the way."
• Throw in the towel Meaning: Give up or quit. Example: "After trying several times, he finally threw in the towel."
• Cry over spilt milk Meaning: Complaining about a loss from the past. Example: "You didn’t qualify because you didn’t learn IELTS idioms for speaking. Now, don’t cry over spilt milk.”
• Hit the nail on the head Meaning: To accurately identify the main point of a matter. Example: "During the meeting, she hit the nail on the head by pointing out the exact issue.”
• Spill the beans Meaning: Reveal secret information. Example: "He accidentally spilled the beans about the surprise party."
• Down in the dumps Meaning: Feeling unhappy or depressed. Example: "She was down in the dumps after hearing about the demise of her grandfather."

The Importance of Using Idioms Correctly in IELTS

Using idioms correctly in IELTS can significantly boost your score, but they must fit the context and sound natural. Overusing or misusing idioms can confuse examiners and hurt your score. For instance, using “a piece of cake” to describe something difficult would be incorrect. Idioms work best in the speaking test, where they can impress the examiner, but should be used sparingly in writing. Practice with IELTS sample questions, create flashcards, or use idiom-focused apps to strengthen your understanding.For in-depth learning, specialized courses designed to help learners excel in idiom usage and overall IELTS preparation. It can help you master idioms and improve your overall IELTS performance.