Must-Know Idioms for IELTS Speaking: Speak Like a Native

What Are Idioms?

Idioms are expressions that don’t mean exactly what the individual words say. Instead, they have a figurative meaning that’s often quite different from their literal one. They’re commonly used in everyday conversations and writing, which can make them tricky for non-native speakers to grasp.

For example, one of the popular idioms for IELTS is “a blessing in disguise.” It doesn’t mean someone is literally in a disguise—it means something that seemed bad at first actually turned out to be good.

Read More: Idiomatic expressions | 5 idioms for IELTS speaking test

Useful Idioms for IELTS Speaking

Vocabulary is a key factor in your IELTS Speaking and Writing scores, making up 25% of your total band. Although idioms are usually avoided in IELTS Writing because of its formal style, they are highly encouraged in the Speaking section to help you sound more natural and fluent. Below is a list of some of the most common idioms for IELTS Speaking that can help you aim for a Band 9.

Idiom	Meaning	Example Sentence
A blessing in disguise	A good thing that seemed bad at first	Losing my job was a blessing in disguise because I started my own business.
A piece of cake	Something very easy	The IELTS Speaking test was a piece of cake for me!
All ears	Listening attentively	I’m all ears—tell me about your trip!
Barking up the wrong tree	Blaming the wrong person	If you think I broke the vase, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
Beat around the bush	Avoid saying something directly	Stop beating around the bush and tell me what happened.
Bite the bullet	Face a difficult situation bravely	I had to bite the bullet and admit my mistake.
Break the ice	Start a conversation in a social setting	A funny story helped break the ice at the party.
Burn the midnight oil	Stay up late working	I burned the midnight oil to prepare for the exam.
Call it a day	Stop working for the day	We’ve studied enough—let’s call it a day.
Cry over spilt milk	Worry about something that can’t be changed	No point crying over spilt milk—just try again.
Cut corners	Do something quickly or cheaply, sacrificing quality	Don’t cut corners on your IELTS prep.
Down to earth	Practical and realistic	My speaking partner is very down to earth.
Face the music	Accept the consequences	I missed the deadline and had to face the music.
Give someone the cold shoulder	Ignore someone intentionally	She gave me the cold shoulder after our disagreement.
Hit the nail on the head	Say something exactly right	You hit the nail on the head with that answer.
Jump on the bandwagon	Join a trend or activity	Everyone’s jumping on the bandwagon with IELTS coaching.
Keep an eye on	Watch closely	Please keep an eye on my bag while I step out.
Let the cat out of the bag	Reveal a secret by mistake	He let the cat out of the bag about the surprise.
Once in a blue moon	Very rarely	I eat sweets only once in a blue moon.
Over the moon	Extremely happy	I was over the moon after getting my band score.
Pull someone’s leg	Joke or tease someone	Are you serious or just pulling my leg?
See eye to eye	Agree completely	We don’t always see eye to eye on ideas.
Spill the beans	Reveal a secret	He spilled the beans about the weekend plans.
Take with a grain of salt	Be skeptical	Take that review with a grain of salt.
The ball is in your court	It’s your decision now	I’ve done my part; now the ball is in your court.
Under the weather	Feeling sick	I couldn’t practice today—I’m feeling under the weather.
Up in the air	Uncertain or undecided	Our travel plans are still up in the air.
Hit the books	Study hard	I need to hit the books before my test.
Go the extra mile	Make more effort than expected	She went the extra mile to prepare for the IELTS.
On cloud nine	Extremely happy	He was on cloud nine after his results.
Bite off more than you can chew	Take on too much	I bit off more than I could chew by taking two courses.
In hot water	In trouble	He’s in hot water for missing his interview.
Play devil’s advocate	Argue the opposite for discussion’s sake	I’ll play devil’s advocate—what if the plan fails?
Run out of steam	Lose energy or motivation	I was excited at first but ran out of steam.
The last straw	Final problem before giving up	His comment was the last straw—I had to walk away.
Turn a blind eye	Ignore something on purpose	The teacher turned a blind eye to the noise.
Throw in the towel	Give up	He threw in the towel after failing three times.
Hit the sack	Go to sleep	I’m exhausted—I’m going to hit the sack.
Break a leg	Wish someone good luck	Break a leg on your IELTS Speaking test!
Water under the bridge	Past problems that are now forgiven	Our old argument is water under the bridge.
Don’t judge a book by its cover	Don’t judge by appearance	He seems quiet, but don’t judge a book by its cover.
Take a rain check	Postpone an invitation	I’ll take a rain check on dinner—I’m studying.
Cut to the chase	Get to the point	Cut to the chase—what are you trying to say?
Rule of thumb	A general rule or guideline	As a rule of thumb, arrive early for your IELTS exam.
Spitting image	Look exactly like someone	She’s the spitting image of her sister.
Hold your horses	Wait and be patient	Hold your horses—we’re not ready to decide yet.
Get a head start	Start earlier than others	I got a head start by preparing six months in advance.
Out of the blue	Unexpectedly	She messaged me out of the blue after years.
Pass with flying colors	Succeed with high marks	He passed his IELTS with flying colors.
Work one’s way up	Progress slowly to a higher level	She worked her way up from intern to manager.
Every cloud has a silver lining	Something good in every bad situation	Failing once taught me to work harder—every cloud has a silver lining.

Why Are Idioms Important for IELTS Speaking?

Using idioms for IELTS Speaking is a smart way to boost your score and make your responses sound more natural and fluent. 

Boosts Your Vocabulary Score (Lexical Resource)

One of the four scoring criteria in the IELTS Speaking test is Lexical Resource, which refers to your ability to use a range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately.

Band Score	Lexical Resource Description
Band 7	Uses some less common and idiomatic vocabulary.
Band 8	Uses a wide range of vocabulary with flexibility and awareness of collocation.
Band 9	Uses a full range of vocabulary with natural and sophisticated control.

By using idioms for IELTS Speaking correctly and naturally, you can show a wider vocabulary range and meet the expectations for higher bands.

Improves Fluency and Coherence

Fluency and coherence are essential for a high IELTS Speaking score. When you use idioms smoothly in your conversation, your speech sounds more fluent and less memorized or robotic.

Example:

Without Idioms (Band 6–6.5):
“I had a lot of work. It was hard. I didn’t know what to do. I tried and finished it.”

With Idioms (Band 8–9):
“I was up to my neck in work. I felt at my wit’s end, but I decided to bite the bullet and focus. Eventually, I got it done on time.”

Make Your Speaking More Expressive and Interesting

Idioms make your responses more colorful and engaging. Instead of using plain or repetitive sentences, idiomatic expressions help you express your thoughts in a more creative and expressive way.

Example:

Without Idioms:
“Yes, I like traveling. It makes me happy and helps me relax.”

With Idioms:
“Absolutely! Traveling is how I get away from it all. I feel on cloud nine whenever I explore a new place—it truly broadens my horizons.”

Demonstrates Native-Like Speaking Skills

Native English speakers frequently use idioms in everyday conversation. When you use idioms for IELTS Speaking appropriately, you sound more like a fluent and confident speaker.

Example:

Basic Version:
“I like exercising because it is good for me.”

With Idioms:
“I hit the gym regularly—after all, a healthy body leads to a healthy mind! It’s also the best way for me to blow off steam after a long day.”

Helps You Express Feelings and Opinions Clearly

Idioms allow you to communicate your emotions and opinions more vividly. They help you move beyond basic vocabulary and show a deeper understanding of the language.

 Example:

Without Idioms:
“Public transport is okay. Sometimes good, sometimes bad. It is often late.”

With Idioms:
“Public transport here is really hit or miss. On some days it’s great, but on others, it’s a nightmare—especially when you’re left high and dry in bad weather.”

Common Mistakes Students Make with Idioms for IELTS Speaking

While learning idioms for IELTS Speaking is important, it’s equally essential to understand the common mistakes many students make when using them. Recognizing these errors will help you avoid them during your IELTS Speaking practice and perform more confidently in the actual test.

Using Idioms Incorrectly

Many students use idioms in the wrong context, which makes their answers sound awkward or unnatural.
Example:
  “I hit the sack at the library.”
  “I hit the sack after a long day.”

Overusing Idioms

Trying to squeeze too many idioms into your answers can make your speech sound forced or memorized. It’s better to use a few idioms accurately and naturally than to overload your response with them.

Mispronouncing Idioms

Incorrect pronunciation can confuse the examiner and lower your clarity score.
Example:
  Saying “a blessing in this guy”
  Correct: “a blessing in disguise”

Practice saying idioms out loud during mock speaking tests to improve pronunciation.

Forcing Idioms into Your Answers

Idioms should fit the context and tone of your answer. If an idiom doesn’t feel natural or appropriate, it’s better to use a simpler expression. Forced usage can hurt your fluency score.

Mixing Up Idioms

Some students unintentionally combine two different idioms, resulting in a confusing sentence.
Example:
  “Don’t count your chickens before they cross the road.”
  It should be either:

• “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”
• “Why did the chicken cross the road?”

Practice and review idioms regularly to avoid blending unrelated phrases.

Tips to Use Idioms for IELTS Speaking to Score Band 8 or Higher

If you’re aiming for a Band 8 or above, here are some expert tips on how to use idioms for IELTS Speaking effectively:

Focus on Irregular Verbs in Idioms

Some idioms use irregular verbs, so make sure you know how to conjugate them correctly depending on the tense.
Example: “Bite the bullet” → “I bit the bullet and told the truth.”

Include Culturally Relevant Idioms

Using culturally familiar idioms helps you sound more like a native speaker. Avoid outdated or uncommon phrases and stick with idioms that are frequently used in everyday English.

Learn the Seven Types of Idioms

To gain full control over idiomatic expressions, understand these seven types:

• Pure idioms
• Prepositional idioms
• Partial idioms
• Binomial idioms
• Euphemisms
• Proverbs
• Clichés
  
  

Understand Collocations

Many idioms include specific word pairings (collocations). Understanding and using these correctly will make your speech more natural and accurate.

Keep It Natural and Comfortable

The key to scoring high is sounding fluent and relaxed. Use idioms in a way that fits your speaking style—don’t overuse them or force them into every sentence.

Key Takeaways

• Using idioms for IELTS Speaking can significantly improve your Lexical Resource score, helping you aim for a Band 8 or higher.
• Idioms make your speech sound more fluent, natural, and expressive, just like a native speaker.
• Learn idioms in context and use them appropriately. Avoid forcing or overusing them to maintain clarity and coherence.
  
  

We hope you enjoyed reading this blog. In case of any queries, reach out to us or drop a comment below!

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FAQs

Question 1. How to use idioms in IELTS Speaking naturally?

Answer. To use idioms effectively in IELTS Speaking, first understand their meanings and practice them in context. Use only 2–3 idioms per response, and ensure they fit the topic. Avoid forcing them—your goal is to sound fluent and natural, not rehearsed.

Question 2. Should I use idioms in IELTS Writing?

Answer. In IELTS Writing, especially in Task 2 (essay writing), idioms should be used with caution. Since it requires a formal tone, only neutral or semi-formal idioms are acceptable. Overusing idioms or using informal ones can hurt your score.

Question 3. What are some advanced idioms for IELTS?

Answer. Advanced idioms for IELTS are expressions that go beyond the basics and show a high level of vocabulary control. Examples include:

• At the end of the day – ultimately
• Jump through hoops – go through a lot of effort
• Put something on the back burner – delay something
• A blessing in disguise – something good that seemed bad at first
• Bite the bullet – face something difficult bravely