Tool or game
Lesson
Vocabulary: Idioms for speaking, used accurately
Idioms can lift a speaking score, but only when they are accurate and natural. Learn ten useful ones, their exact meaning and when they fit, and when they don't.
The rule: accuracy first
Examiners reward idiomatic language used naturally and accurately. A memorised idiom in the wrong place ("it's raining cats and dogs" in answer to a question about tourism) lowers your score.
Ten that fit many IELTS topics
| Idiom | Meaning |
|---|---|
| a blessing in disguise | something that seemed bad but turned out to be good |
| the tip of the iceberg | a small, visible part of a much larger problem |
| cut corners | do something cheaply or carelessly to save time or money |
| a steep learning curve | a lot to learn very quickly |
| bite off more than you can chew | take on more than you can manage |
| in the long run | over a long period, eventually |
| hit the nail on the head | describe something exactly right |
| go the extra mile | make more effort than expected |
| on the same page | in agreement, understanding the same thing |
| once in a blue moon | very rarely |
Speaking, not essays
These suit Speaking. In Writing Task 2 most idioms are too informal, although in the long run is fine.
Practise freely
Questions 1–6
Complete each sentence with an idiom from the box.
a blessing in disguisethe tip of the icebergcut cornersa steep learning curveonce in a blue moongo the extra mile
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Losing that job was . It pushed me to start my own business.
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My first month as a teacher was . I had never managed a class before.
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The reported cases are only . Many more go unreported.
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Builders who to save money put people's lives at risk.
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I only go to the cinema . It's too expensive.
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The best teachers for students who are struggling.
Questions 7–10
Is the idiom used appropriately in each sentence?
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(Speaking, about a hobby) "I took on three part-time jobs and a full course, so I really bit off more than I could chew."
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(Writing Task 2) "Governments must stop cutting corners and hit the nail on the head regarding pollution."
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(Speaking) "My manager and I were never on the same page, which made projects really frustrating."
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(Speaking, asked about the weather) "My hometown is a blessing in disguise."
