41 Idioms for IELTS Writing module | Writing for Academic IELTS PDF Download

List of Idioms and Phrases Useful for IELTS

1. Over the moon– To be extremely pleased or happy.
   • I was over the moon when I passed my test.
2. Once in a blue moon– Happens very rarely.
   • A tourist will see Rafflesia in full bloom once in a blue moon.
3. A piece of cake – Very easy.
   • Getting a visa will be a piece of cake for you.
4. A drop in the ocean – A very small part of something much bigger.
   • Just learning quotations is a drop in the ocean when it comes to preparing for the exam.
5. Actions speak louder than words – It is better to actually do something than just talk about it.
   • Lots of people have great business ideas but do nothing about them. Actions speak louder than words, just do it.
6. Back to the drawing board– When you attempt to do something but fail and have to try again.
   • I got a 40% on the test! Oh well, back to the drawing board.
7. Put all your eggs in one basket – Put all your money or effort into one thing.
   • Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. You should apply to lots of different  universities.
8. The in thing – Something fashionable
   • The new iPhone is really the in thing at the moment.
9. The real McCoy – Genuine or not fake.
   • I don’t think her new handbag is the real McCoy.
10. Off the top of my head – Saying something without thinking first.
    • Off the top of my head, I’d say about 2 or 3 were left.
11. Run of the mill – Average, Ordinary
    • Apple phones are very run of the mill these days.
12. Soulmate – Someone you trust very deeply.
    • My husband is not just my lover, he’s my soulmate.
13. Down in the dumps – Sad.
    • I was really down in the dumps after my dog died.
14. Found my feet – To become comfortable doing something.
    • Moving to a new city was difficult at first, but I soon found my feet.
15. Set in their ways – Not wanting to change.
    • My parents are quite traditional and set in their ways.
16. Go the extra mile – Do much more than is required.
    • I decided to go the extra mile and move to England to really perfect my English.
17. A hot potato – A controversial topic.
    • Abortion and capital punishment are hot potatoes in my country at the moment.
18. Miss the boat – Miss an opportunity.
    • I sent my application in late and I think I missed the boat.
19. Costs an arm and a leg – Really expensive.
    • Those shoes must have cost an arm and a leg.
20. Sit on the fence – To be undecided.
    • I haven’t made my mind up about that issue, I’ll have to sit on the fence.
21. Throw in the towel – To give up, leave or quit
    • He threw in the towel and left his job as he was unhappy.
22. Absence makes the heart grow fonder – Being away for a while from someone   or something makes you miss/appreciate that person or situation.
    • Absence made his heart grow fonder and he realised he missed her terribly.
23. A watched pot never boils – A situation or event can take far longer than expected. Don’t keep watching for developments.
    • A watched pot never boils when you are waiting for something to cook more quickly.
24. Better late than never – It is better to finish something no matter how long it takes to do.
    • He finally finished the paper.  Better late than never as it was due last month.
25. Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today – Finish what needs to be finished today rather than tomorrow.
    • Don’t put off until tomorrow – finish the project today.
26. Good things come to those who wait – Be patient.  Good will come out of the situation.
    • Good things come to those who wait.  Your promotion will come soon.
27. Birds of a feather – People who are like-minded often spend more time together.
    • Those two are birds of a feather.  No wonder they meet so often.
28. There is no time like the present – Do what you want to do now.  Do not put off until tomorrow.
    • There is no time like the present. You need to finish your project and you have the time to finish it now.
29. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it – If something is already or still working, leave it as it is still working.
    • If it ain’t broke don’t fix it, the car still works so do not buy a new one.
30. There is no such thing as a free lunch – Everything has a hidden cost.
    • There is no such thing as a free lunch.  He wants you to invest in his company.
31. Practice makes perfect – Keep practising and you will become better at it.
    • You will become a great tennis player. Practice makes perfect.
32. When in Rome, do as the Romans do – When you are doing something new, act like others do in that situation.
    • Try eating English food when in England. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
33. Don’t upset the apple cart – Do not make a fuss.
    • Don’t upset the apple card by making a scene.
34. The sky’s the limit – A person can achieve anything they want.
    • The sky’s the limit, work hard and you will progress to the top of the firm.
35. The elephant in the room – This relates to an obvious issue that is not being talked about.
    • Talk about the elephant in the room and deal with the major issue that needs to be discussed now.
36. Take the bull by the horns – Deal with the problem.
    • Take the bull by the horns, you must sort out the major problems.
37. Read between the lines – To understand something that may not be entirely clear.
    • Read between the lines, work out what is not being said at the meeting and sort out the problem.
38. Uphill battle– There are many obstacles to sort out before we achieve what we want.
    • There is an uphill battle to win the contract.
39. No time to lose – Something must be finished very soon.
    • He has no time to lose as his project is due first thing tomorrow morning.
40. On the same page – Two people are in agreement about a situation.
    • We are on the same page as to how to take the situation forward now.
41. Word and mouth – News which spreads very fast as people tell other people the same news.
    • The news spread by word and mouth that the new hotel was very successful.

Conclusion

One thing you need to remember while using idioms is that what you are trying to say doesn’t sound forceful and artificial. They must come naturally to you. Using a lot of idioms in your speech won’t guarantee a high score, rather correct and moderate use will fetch you a Band 8 or even a Band 9.