What are idioms?

They are phrases, words or expressions that do not have the same meaning as the
actual words used in the phrase.

In other words, their meaning cannot be taken literally.

For example, we can say:

"I’m over the moon that I got a band 7.5 in IELTS".

Obviously you can’t take the words ‘over the moon’ literally. It does not mean the
person is standing over the moon!

The phrase is used when someone wants to express that they are incredibly
happy about something that has happened.

They are also expressions that are grammatically unusual. For example:

"So far, so good".

This means that up until this point in time, things are going well.

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How are they related to IELTS?

This is one of the criteria for achieving a band 7 in IELTS speaking for lexical
resource (vocabulary):

Uses some less common and idiomatic vocabulary

This means that the examiner will be trained to spot if you use this type of
vocabulary. They are much less common in formal or academic writing, so they are
not mentioned in the writing band descriptors.

So forget about them for your writing (though they could be used in an informal letter
for General Training).

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Should I learn idioms for the IELTS speaking test?

They should really be quite low down in your priorities when you are preparing for
the IELTS test.

Just because they are mentioned at a band 7 does not mean you will not get a 7 for
lexical resource if you don’t use them! And if you do use some, this does not
automatically mean you will get a 7 for lexical resource!
For example, if your general use of lexis throughout the test tends to be at a band 6
level, the examiner will not give you a 7 just because you fit ‘over the moon’ in
somewhere!

Using idioms at the right time and in the right context is also quite difficult to learn.
Native speakers use them very naturally and in exactly the right context because
they have obviously been brought up with the language and they don’t have to think
about it.

Imagine you learn the phrase 'over the moon' for the test. You now have to hope the
examiner asks you a question where you can fit it in! That could be unlikely and if
you are nervous it is not something you want to worry about.

If you use them unnaturally because you are trying to fit them in the test it will
probably be noticeable. You need to be at a level where you can use them fairly
naturally. Those that can use them well in the test have not usually studied a book
and learned them but have picked them up through experience, maybe from
some time abroad or just from being quite a good speaker of English.

However, that is not to say you should not study them, but it depends on your
situation.

If you are around a band 5.5 level or lower, I would say forget about them for
now, or at least make them a lower priority. You have much more important things to
worry about.

Common Idioms List

Set 1
Common Idioms Definitions

It cost me an arm and a leg to take my trip to Very expensive

Australia.

I was over the moon when he asked me to Extremely pleased or happy

marry him.

You are taking your IELTS test next week?? Doing or starting something too early
Aren’t you jumping the gun. You’ve only just
started studying.

He comes round to see me once in a blue Happening very rarely

moon.

He’s got a chip on his shoulder. Feeling inferior or having a

grievance about something
I reckon getting a band 7 in IELTS will be Very easy
a piece of cake! I’m very good at English.

The money sent by comic relief to help poverty A very small part of something much
in Africa is just a drop in the ocean. They bigger
need far more than this.

Getting a low score the first time I took IELTS Something positive that isn’t
was a blessing in disguise. It forced me to recognized until later
study extremely hard so I got a much better
score the next time.

We have to actually do something about It’s better to actually do something

global warming. Actions speak louder than rather than just talking about it
words.

I bumped into Jenny in town the other day. It's Meeting someone you would not
a small world. have expected to

Set 2
Common Idioms Definitions

Oh well, I got 5.5 in IELTS again. Back to the When an attempt to do something

drawing board! fails and it's time to start all over
again using different methods

I hate my job so much I can’t bare going to Having two very bad choices.
work, but if I quit I don’t think I can get another
job. I’m really stuck / caught between a rock (note: stuck/caught can be omitted)
and a hard place.

I have to bite my tongue so I don’t say what I Wanting to say something but
really think of him! stopping yourself.

Come on, cut to the chase. We haven’t got Leave out all the unnecessary
all day! details and just get to the point

Are you putting all of your savings into that Putting all of ones resources into
company? Don’t put all your eggs in one one possibility
basket.

Try not to worry about it. Every cloud has a Believing that every bad situation
silver lining. has a positive side / eventually leads
to something good

It was difficult when I moved to another To become comfortable in what you

country but I eventually found my feet. are doing

My parents are very fixed in their ways. They Not wanting to change from the
won’t start using the internet. normal ways of doing things

I think he got up on the wrong side of the To refer to someone who is having a
bed this morning. He is in a terrible mood. bad day

My mother will always go the extra mile to Doing much more than is required
help people. when doing something

Set 3
Common Idioms Definitions

I think you’ve hit the nail on the head. That’s Say exactly the right thing
the reason he didn’t get the job.

Today’s going so badly. If it’s not one thing, When everything seems to be going
it’s the other. wrong

I just said it in the heat of the moment. I was Saying or doing something suddenly
angry. I know I shouldn’t have. without thinking about it

Keep an eye on him. I think he may cheat in Watch someone or something

the exam. carefully

Have you heard? John down the road Died

has kicked the bucket.

I don’t want to argue with him again. It’s better Avoid a conflict
to let sleeping dogs lie.

I told him what gift you have bought him for his Tell someone something that you
birthday. Sorry, I didn’t mean to let the cat out were not supposed to
of the bag.

Don’t tell her what you really think of her if Hurt or upset someone who is
she’s helping you with your English! Don’t bite helping you
the hand that feeds you.

I’m not sure which party he is going to vote for. Not making a firm decision between
He’s sitting on the fence. different choices

Everything she does is very over the top. She Excessive

can’t just have a few drinks – se has to get
really drunk.

Set 4
Common Idioms Definitions

Let’s keep studying for IELTS. Practice Continuously doing something to

makes perfect. improve

Don’t get upset about what he said. He’s Joking around

just pulling your leg.

Sorry but I think I’ll take a rain check on that. To decline an offer that you will take
up later

As a rule of thumb, I don’t study at Principal that is strictly adhered /

weekends. I spend the time with my family. kept to

I can smell a rat. He said he has a PhD but he To sense that something is not right
can’t even remember which university he
studied at.

She’s the spitting image of her mother. To look exactly like someone else

The ball's in your court now. What are you Telling someone it's now their turn to
going to do? make a decision

Unfortunately I think he’ll be studying for For a very long time

IELTS until the cows come home. His
English is very poor.

It was all tongue-in-cheek. He didn’t really Something said in humour rather

mean what he said. than seriously
She’s feeling under the weather today so she Unwell
won’t be going to work.

Set 5
Common Idioms Definitions

We've had some big disagreements over the Things from the past that are not
years, but it’s all water under the bridge now. important anymore
We get on fine.

You are what you eat so it’s better to have a If you eat bad food, you’ll be
healthy diet. unhealthy, if you eat good food,
you’ll be healthy

You can’t judge a book by its cover. I need to The belief that outside
get to know him before I decide what he is like. appearances do not reveal what
someone or something is really
like

We're really working against the clock now. We Not having enough time to do

must hurry. something

Why are we bothering? We're flogging a dead Attempting to continue with

horse. Our online business is making no money, something that is finished / over
so we should move on and do something else.

I bent over backwards to help him. I hope he Doing all you can to help
appreciates it. someone

So you have the IELTS test today?? Break a leg. Good luck

Ok, I'm playing devil's advocate here, but if To put forward a side in an

marijuana is legalized, isn't it more likely young argument that may not be your
people will smoke it? own in order to show the counter-
argument / ensure all sides are
discussed

Hold your horses! We haven't won anything yet. Telling someone who is getting
ahead of themselves to wait / be
patient

Annoying or irritating somebody

She is driving me up the wall. She won't stop
talking.