For the IELTS speaking test, throwing in some idioms can really help your score. They can give your speech a natural feel. But it’s key to use them carefully. The best way is for them to feel natural with the topic, use the right words, and add something good to what you’re saying. In this guide, you will walk through some common idioms for IELTS, with what they mean, how to use them in sentences, and some pointers.
What is an Idiom?
Think of an idiom as a phrase or saying where the meaning isn’t clear from just the words themselves. Idioms carry a meaning that comes from knowing the language and culture. Take “Feeling Under The Weather”, for example, that just means someone is feeling a bit sick.
How Idioms Boost Your IELTS Speaking Scores?
Sprinkling idioms for IELTS speaking shows you can speak smoothly, know a lot of words, and sound like you grew up speaking English. Knowing how to use them right shows you can phrase ideas in a cool way, which bumps up your vocabulary score. Let’s break it down:
- Show You’re Fluent: We all know that if you’re chatting away and come out with idioms like they’re nothing, it tells you speak without much stopping, because it’s part of how people naturally talk.
- Improve Your Vocabulary: Examiners want to see that you have a really broad vocabulary, and using idioms lets you show them that.
- Sound More Natural: When you’re aiming to sound like someone who speaks English as their first language, examiners love this. This is where idioms can save you.
- Add Emotional Depth: When you’re trying to tell a story, idioms can instantly make it more interesting.
- Show Skill: You know your English stuff when you can throw in idioms without making mistakes.
- Help You Feel Sure: The more you learn and get comfy using idioms, the more confident you’ll feel walking into the test.
Things to keep in mind with Idioms
- Don’t Use Too Many: If you shove idioms into every other sentence, it won’t sound right. A couple of well-placed ones are way better than using a bunch wrong.
- See How They Fit: Don’t just memorise a bunch of idioms; practice using them so you get when and how to use them spot-on.
How to Use Idioms?
Here’s a simple guide to adding idioms smoothly to your IELTS speaking:
- Know What They Mean: You’ve got to know what an idiom means inside and out before you try to use it. It’s a good idea to practice with some sample tests.
- Use Them Right: Make sure the idiom fits with what you’re talking about. Idioms that don’t connect will confuse people.
- Don’t Overdo It: When something is good, more is not always better. Using too many idioms sounds weird, just like it would if you used too much perfume.
- Practice: The best way to get comfortable with idioms is to use your English-speaking friends daily.
- Be Fluent: The key is to show you can talk easily, not just to drop idioms.
Important Note: Idioms are generally considered informal, so it’s best to avoid them in formal writing, such as academic essays or technical documents. Moreover, consider taking online IELTS coaching for a better understanding of idioms.
Commonly Used Idioms in Daily Life
Here are some common idioms for IELTS. They are defined below in detail.
- Piece of Cake: Super easy to accomplish.
- A Dime a Dozen: Something is super common.
- Break a Leg: A saying that means good luck and is mostly used when someone is heading on a stage.
- Under the Weather: Means you are feeling unwell or sick.
- Spill The Beans: Means to tell someone something that was a secret.
- Hit The Nail On The Head: To be accurate.
- Let The Cat Out Of The Bag: Saying something you weren’t supposed to.
- Miss The Boat: To miss an opportunity.
- The Ball Is In Your Court: It’s your turn to make a choice.
- Once in a Blue Moon: Something does not happen often.
- In a Nutshell: Explain something using as few words as possible.
- A Blessing In Disguise: Something bad that ends up being good in the end.
- Kill Two Birds With One Stone: Accomplishing more than one thing at once.
- Cost an Arm and a Leg: Very costly.
- Speak Of The Devil: When the person who is being spoken about arrives.
Tips for Effective Use of Idioms in the IELTS Speaking Section
Here are some tips to help you use idioms for IELTS effectively:
- Listen to speakers: Listen to how someone who grew up speaking the language uses idioms when they talk.
- Practice: Try using idioms in conversations when you practice speaking.
- It’s Okay to Stumble: It takes time to learn, and you’re human, therefore it’s OK to make mistakes.
- Be Natural: Drop in your best idioms only when they come up naturally, and don’t force them.
- Quality, Not Amount: It’s way better to use a few idioms correctly than to throw in a bunch but use them wrong.
- Explain: When you use an idiom, go ahead and explain what it means to show you get it.
- Pick right: If you’re aiming to sound natural, use only a couple of idioms for each answer, at most.
- Get Help: Ask a friend to listen to your idioms. A great friend will provide you with feedback.
- Use Current Idioms: Use sayings that people are using these days, rather than old ones that might sound like you memorised them.
In Conclusion
Summing up, using some idioms in your IELTS speaking can help your score, show off your vocabulary, and make you sound like a natural speaker. Make sure you really understand the idioms before you try to use them. Also, while studying is key, checking your progress matters too.
