Useful Idioms for the IELTS Exam

Here are some idiomatic expressions that can enhance your English language skills for the IELTS

  1. “Break a leg” – Good luck!
  2. “Hit the nail on the head” – Say or do something exactly right.
  3. “A piece of cake” – Something that is very easy.
  4. “Let the cat out of the bag” – Reveal a secret.
  5. “Bite the bullet” – Face a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage.
  6. “Kill two birds with one stone” – Achieve two things at the same time.
  7. “Cost an arm and a leg” – Be very expensive.
  8. “Once in a blue moon” – Something that happens very rarely.
  9. “The ball is in your court” – It is your turn to take action or make a decision.
  10. “Break the ice” – To initiate or start a conversation or interaction.
  11. “A dime a dozen” – Something that is common and easily available.
  12. “Ace in the hole” – A hidden advantage or secret resource.
  13. “Barking up the wrong tree” – Looking in the wrong place or accusing the wrong person.
  14. “By the skin of my teeth” – Just barely managing to do something.
  15. “Fit as a fiddle” – In good physical health.
  16. “On cloud nine” – Feeling extreme happiness or joy.
  17. “Paint the town red” – To go out and have a great time, often by partying or celebrating.
  18. “Under the weather” – Feeling unwell or sick.
  19. “The apple of my eye” – Someone or something that is treasured or loved deeply.
  20. “A blessing in disguise” – Something that initially seems unfortunate but results in a positive outcome.

Remember to use these idioms appropriately in context to demonstrate your language proficiency during the IELTS exam. Best of luck with your preparation!

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Weather idioms

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  1. “Under the weather” – Feeling unwell or sick.
  2. “Blow hot and cold” – To have inconsistent or unpredictable behaviour or opinions.
  3. “Rain on someone’s parade” – To spoil or ruin someone’s plans or happiness.
  4. “Break the ice” – To initiate or start a conversation or relationship in a friendly way.
  5. “Chase rainbows” – To pursue dreams or goals that are unlikely or unrealistic.
  6. “In a fog” – Confused or unable to think clearly.
  7. “Storm in a teacup” – A situation or problem that is exaggerated or blown out of proportion.
  8. “A ray of sunshine” – A person or thing that brings happiness or joy.
  9. “Under a cloud” – Having a bad reputation or being suspected of wrongdoing.
  10. “Snowed under” – Overwhelmed with a lot of work or tasks.

These idioms are just a few examples, and there are many more weather-related expressions used in different contexts.

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Food Idioms

  1. “Piece of cake” – Refers to something that is very easy to do.
  2. “Spill the beans” – Means to reveal a secret or confidential information.
  3. “The icing on the cake” – Refers to something that makes a good situation even better.
  4. “Bring home the bacon” – Means to earn a living or provide for the family.
  5. “Couch potato” – Describes a person who spends a lot of time sitting or lying down, usually watching television.
  6. “Apples and oranges” – Used to compare two things that are very different and cannot be compared directly.
  7. “Hot potato” – Refers to a difficult or sensitive issue that no one wants to deal with.
  8. “In a pickle” – Means being in a difficult or challenging situation.
  9. “Salt of the earth” – Refers to a person who is genuine, reliable, and trustworthy.
  10. “Spice things up” – Means to make something more interesting or exciting.

I hope you find these food idioms useful! Let me know if there’s anything else I can help you with.

Why you need to know English idioms

English idioms play a vital role in effective communication and language proficiency. Here’s why knowing English idioms is important:

  1. Enhancing Communication Skills: Idioms are commonly used in everyday conversations and are an integral part of the English language. Understanding and using idioms helps you express thoughts, ideas, and emotions more effectively.
  2. Improving Comprehension: Idioms often convey meanings that cannot be derived from the literal words used. Knowing idioms enables you to comprehend the complete message, even when words are used figuratively.
  3. Cultural Insight: Idioms are deeply rooted in the culture of a language. Learning English idioms provides insight into English-speaking cultures, helping you understand their customs, beliefs, and values.
  4. Adding Fluency and Naturalness: Incorporating idioms into your language use makes your speech sound more fluent, natural, and authentic. It adds an extra layer of richness to your language skills.
  5. Enhancing Writing Skills: Idioms can add depth and creativity to your writing, whether it’s in formal or informal contexts. Utilizing idioms appropriately can make your written work more engaging and expressive.

Remember, mastering idioms is an ongoing process, requiring practice and exposure to various idiomatic expressions. Happy learning!

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