List of IDIOMS for IELTS SPEAKING in 2023

 

Idioms are a key aspect of the English language that can greatly enhance our IELTS SPEAKING Band. These expressions, which often contain figurative meanings, are used to convey emotions, ideas, and thoughts more effectively. The use of idioms in spoken English can make your conversation more engaging and memorable, but it can also be a challenge for non-native speakers. In this article, we will explore the benefits of using idioms in speaking and provide tips for effectively incorporating them into your conversation.

 What are Idioms?

Idioms are phrases or expressions that have a figurative meaning that is different from their literal meaning. They are used to describe situations, feelings, and emotions in a creative and imaginative way. For example, the idiom "to have a chip on your shoulder" means to be angry or resentful about something, while the literal meaning refers to a physical object placed on someone's shoulder.

                                                        Some Common Idioms for Speaking 

1.     "Bite the bullet" - to face a difficult situation bravely Example: I know speaking in public is my biggest fear, but I have to bite the bullet and give the speech.

2.     "Bend over backwards" - to make a great effort to please or help someone Example: The customer service team went out of their way to bend over backwards to resolve the issue.

3.     "Break a leg" - to wish someone good luck Example: Good luck on your big performance tonight, break a leg!

4.     "Cost an arm and a leg" - to be very expensive Example: That luxury car costs an arm and a leg, but it's worth every penny.

5.     "Cry over spilled milk" - to worry about something that can't be changed Example: Don't cry over spilled milk, focus on finding a solution to the problem.

6.     "Cut to the chase" - to get to the point quickly Example: Can you cut to the chase and tell me the result of the game?

7.     "Get cold feet" - to become nervous or uncertain about something Example: I was all set to go skydiving, but I got cold feet at the last minute.

8.     "Get the ball rolling" - to start a process or project Example: Let's get the ball rolling and start planning the company picnic.

9.     "Go the extra mile" - to make a special effort Example: Our delivery driver always goes the extra mile to make sure our customers receive their packages on time.

10.  "Hit the nail on the head" - to say or do something that is exactly right Example: Your comments about the proposal really hit the nail on the head, we need to make some changes.

11.  "In the same boat" - to be in the same difficult situation as someone else Example: The employees were all feeling stressed, but they took comfort in knowing they were all in the same boat.

12.  "Jump on the bandwagon" - to join a popular trend or activity Example: Everyone was jumping on the bandwagon to try the new gym class.

13.  "Kill two birds with one stone" - to solve two problems with one action Example: By combining the team building exercise with the company picnic, we were able to kill two birds with one stone.

14.  "Let the cat out of the bag" - to reveal a secret Example: Oops, I think I let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.

15.  "Pull someone's leg" - to tease or play a joke on someone Example: Don't worry, I was just pulling your leg about not knowing how to swim.

16.  "Rain on someone's parade" - to spoil someone's plans or excitement Example: I didn't mean to rain on your parade, but the concert has been canceled.

17.  "Speak of the devil" - to be surprised when the person you are talking about appears Example: We were just talking about you, speak of the devil!

18.  "Take with a grain of salt" - to be cautious or skeptical about something Example: I heard the rumor about the new policy, but I'm taking it with a grain of salt until I hear it from a reliable source.

19.  "Throw in the towel" - to give up or quit Example: After months of trying to fix the broken machine, the mechanic finally threw in the towel and ordered a new one.

20.  "Turn over a new leaf" - to make a fresh start or change one's behavior Example: I decided to turn over a new leaf and start exercising regularly to improve my health.

These idioms add color and creativity to our daily language and can help express thoughts and emotions in a unique and memorable way.