Icing on the Cake - Idiom of the Day for IELTS Speaking & Writing

‘Icing on the Cake’ is an idiom which is suitable in the context of describing a situation when something good is made even better by a minor advantage or a nice surprise. As lexical resource is one of the parameters based on which you will be marked, you need to add new terms and phrases to your toolkit. With this expression, you can convey the meaning in layers and showcase your usage of advanced vocabulary. In this way, you can make conversational use of the language, making your answers sound more natural and engaging in the IELTS Exam.

Meaning of the Idiom ‘Icing on the Cake’

Strengthen your lexical resource by learning how to incorporate relevant IELTS Vocabulary naturally and correctly. This includes learning its synonyms, applications, and example sentences in the IELTS Speaking & Writing sections. Afterward, using the idiom ‘Icing on the Cake’ can increase accuracy and also impart a native-like quality to your communication. Let’s look at the meaning, synonyms, origin, and example sentences related to the idiomatic expression for your IELTS preparation.

Check out the video below to learn 9 IELTS Speaking IDIOMS for BAND 9 SCORE!

Scenarios to Use ‘Icing on the Cake’ in IELTS Speaking & Writing Answers

The expression ‘Icing on the Cake’ is quite flexible since it can be applied in both negative and positive contexts. This is useful to focus on the point whether an added detail has improved or made a situation worse. In this way, the idiom would help you to convey a message with precision and fluency. Here are certain practical situations that will demonstrate how you can use the idiom in your IELTS Speaking & Writing answers.

• Scenario 1:

The phrase ‘Icing on the Cake’ puts more focus on the already great wedding which makes the event even more wonderful. In this scenario, the wedding dress was splendid, but the diamond-studded jewelry was an addition which depicts it to be luxurious, making the entire wedding an extravagant event. The idiom here conveys the idea that one good quality has been enhanced by the other where the entire description is more expressive. This is the language you can use when you want to show your excitement.

• Scenario 2:

The idiom is used in an ironic way where you can emphasize that the situation got worse since more damage was done. The broken walls and windows turned the whole event into a nightmare. This is how the idiom ‘Icing on the Cake’ can be used negatively by showing how one bad situation was made worse. Therefore, you can develop the ability to use idioms in both positive and negative contexts.

Exercise on the Idiom ‘Icing on the Cake’ for IELTS Speaking & Writing

Before you start using this idiom in your preparation, it is necessary for you to improve your understanding that focuses on accuracy, context, and fluency. By attempting the exercise provided below, you will be able to identify when and how to use this idiom seamlessly and effortlessly to make it a part of your vocabulary.

1 I almost never go on vacations for a long duration; it happens __________________ due to my busy school timetable.

2 The food at the restaurant was great, but the live music performance was the __________________ that made the night memorable.

3 The authorities still continued to __________________ the safety problem in the neighbourhood despite repeated complaints.

4 The team lost the game and __________________, their best player was hurt at the last minute.

5 I have provided you with all the materials and help you need; now __________________ and you have to pick what to do next.

6 He managed to __________________ and pay his monthly bills, but it was not easy because he was working two part-time jobs.

Answer to the Exercise on the Idiom ‘Icing on the Cake’ for IELTS Speaking & Writing

In order to use any idiom with confidence, you must practice it consistently and get familiar with your grasping ability of the idiom. The following answers will help you track your progress, helping you to use it spontaneously in your Speaking and Writing tasks. Along with this, you will explore the ways to use it in your communication for a higher IELTS Band Score.

1. Once in a blue moon
2. Icing on the cake
3. Turn a blind eye
4. To add insult to injury
5. The ball is in your court
6. Make ends meet

As you keep on working on your vocabulary, using such idioms like ‘Icing on the Cake’ can improve your communication skills. You can also draw attention to the positive and negative factors ironically. This will make your language include the nuance, fluency, and the tone it requires in the Speaking and IELTS Writing sections. With diligent practice, you will learn to enhance your lexical range and also prove your ability to use idiomatic language proficiently.

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Also Check: 

• Five Ways to Improve Your Vocabulary
• 1200 Common Words in IELTS Listening
• IELTS Vocabulary Words List for Band 8 or 9
• How to Build Vocabulary for the IELTS Exam: Practical Tips
• IELTS Exam Preparation Tips for Band Score of 8+