Blood, Sweat And Tears - Idiom Of The Day For IELTS Speaking

When preparing for the IELTS Speaking test, using idiomatic expressions naturally and correctly can boost your score, especially in the Lexical Resource criterion. Today’s idiom, “Blood, Sweat and Tears,” is useful when describing hard work, dedication, or putting in maximum effort to achieve a goal.

Meaning of Blood, Sweat and Tears

Definition: “Blood, sweat and tears” refers to extreme effort, hard work, and dedication to achieve something. It emphasizes the personal sacrifices, energy, and commitment invested in completing a task or reaching a goal.

Origin of the Idiom Blood, Sweat and Tears

The phrase became popular in English in the 20th century, famously used by Winston Churchill in a speech during World War II: “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat.” Over time, it has been widely adopted to describe any task or project that requires great effort and determination.

Usage of Blood, Sweat and Tears in Context

Here are some example sentences showing how the idiom is used in the IELTS Speaking: 

• “This construction project is the result of three years’ blood, sweat and tears.”
• “Jane spent three years preparing her report; it’s definitely her blood, sweat and tears.”
• “On my wedding day, my father reminded me that all good things in life require blood, sweat and tears.”

Pro tip: Use this idiom naturally when describing challenging tasks, long-term projects, or any situation requiring significant effort and perseverance.

When to Use the Idiom Blood, Sweat and Tears

You can use this idiom in IELTS Speaking Part 1, Part 2, or IELTS Speaking Part 3 when:

• Talking about personal achievements or accomplishments.
• Describing times when you worked hard for a goal.
• Highlighting dedication and effort in studies, work, or projects.

Idiom Scenarios

Scenario 1:
Sam: How did you manage to complete your thesis on time?
Asha: It took blood, sweat and tears, but I finally submitted it.

Scenario 2:
Mia: Was preparing for the marathon tough?
Arjun: Yes, it required blood, sweat and tears, but it was worth it.

Sample Answer Using the Idiom Blood, Sweat and Tears

IELTS Speaking Part 2 – Describe a time you had to work extremely hard.

Sample Answer:
“One of the hardest periods in my life was preparing for my final university exams. I devoted months to studying, often spending 12 hours a day revising, practicing past papers, and seeking guidance from my professors. It took blood, sweat and tears, but I managed to achieve top marks. That experience taught me the importance of discipline, resilience, and consistent effort.”

IELTS Vocabulary Tip for Blood, Sweat and Tears

Using idioms like blood, sweat and tears makes your IELTS Speaking answers sound natural, fluent, and expressive. It is especially effective when describing hard work, achievements, and dedication.

Exercise: Blood, Sweat and Tears

Multiple-Choice Question
Q1: What does “blood, sweat and tears” mean in the sentence below?
“It took a lot of __________________ to get the business going.”

a) run out of patience
b) your bread and butter
c) back to square one
d) blood, sweat and tears

Correct Answer: d) blood, sweat and tears

Fill-in-the-Blank
Q2: “Completing my thesis on time required months of __________.”

a) blood, sweat and tears
b) raising the bar
c) breaking the ice
d) silver lining

Correct Answer: a) blood, sweat and tears

To sum up, “blood, sweat and tears” is a highly useful idiom for IELTS Speaking when describing hard work, dedication, or effort. Using it helps demonstrate advanced vocabulary, making your answers more natural and impactful. If you’re aiming for a higher band score, make sure to practice idioms in context and check out the IELTS Exam Preparation Tips for Band Score of 8+ to further enhance your vocabulary and overall test performance.

Also Check: 

• 21+ Tips On How to Improve Your IELTS Writing Band Score
• IELTS Exam Preparation Tips for Band Score of 8+
• IELTS Writing Task 1 Connectors
• 10 Useful IELTS Speaking Tips to Impress the Examiner
• Useful Idioms for IELTS Speaking to Score Band 8.0+