Useful Idioms for IELTS Speaking to Score Band 8.0+

Kasturika Samanta

11 min read

Updated On Mar 14, 2025

Learning idioms for IELTS Speaking is the best way to improve your vocabulary and secure a Band 8+. Find the list of idioms for IELTS Speaking and learn their meanings, usage, and tips to impress the examiners.

What are Idioms?
Useful Idioms for IELTS Speaking
How are Idioms for IELTS Speaking helpful?
Common Errors Students Make While Using Idioms in IELTS Speaking
Tips to Use Idioms for IELTS Speaking to Score 8.0+

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To achieve a high band score in the IELTS exam, it is important to sound like a native speaker. One way to do this is to learn idioms for IELTS Speaking. Since native speakers use idioms frequently, learning them will help you sound more natural and fluent.

In this blog, we will go through the list of idioms to use in IELTS Speaking along with their meanings and examples of how to use them in sentences. We encourage you to practice using these idioms for IELTS Speaking, which is a surefire way to improve your language skills and IELTS band score.

What are Idioms?

Idioms are phrases or expressions that have a figurative meaning that is not easily understandable from the literal meaning of the words. They are often used in everyday speech and writing, and can be a challenge for non-native speakers to understand.

For example, the phrase “a blessing in disguise” doesn’t mean that someone is literally blessed by a disguise. Instead, it means that something that seems bad at first can actually turn out to be good.

Useful Idioms for IELTS Speaking

Vocabulary accounts for 25% of the total score in IELTS Writing as well as the speaking module. Although using idioms in writing tasks is avoided due to its formal nature, you can definitely use them in speaking to improve your fluency and add a natural touch.

Therefore, update your list of idioms to use in IELTS Speaking from the table below that contains popular IELTS Speaking idioms for 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	Accusing the wrong person	If you think I stole your phone, 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 tell my boss the truth.
Break the ice	Start a conversation in a social situation	Telling a joke helped break the ice at the party.
Burn the midnight oil	Stay up late working	I burned the midnight oil to finish my assignment.
Call it a day	Stop working for the day	We’ve done enough work—let’s call it a day.
Cry over spilt milk	Worry about something that cannot be changed	There’s no use crying over spilt milk—just move on.
Cut corners	Do something cheaply or quickly, sacrificing quality	If you cut corners on this project, it will fail.
Down to earth	Practical and realistic	My teacher is very down to earth and easy to talk to.
Face the music	Accept the consequences	He cheated in the exam, so now he has to face the music.
Give someone the cold shoulder	Ignore someone	She gave me the cold shoulder after our argument.
Hit the nail on the head	Describe something accurately	You hit the nail on the head with that explanation.
Jump on the bandwagon	Follow a trend	Everyone is jumping on the bandwagon with this new diet.
Keep an eye on	Watch carefully	Can you keep an eye on my bag while I go to the restroom?
Let the cat out of the bag	Reveal a secret	She let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
Once in a blue moon	Very rarely	I eat fast food only once in a blue moon.
Over the moon	Extremely happy	She was over the moon when she got the job.
Pull someone’s leg	Joke with someone	Don’t believe him—he’s just pulling your leg!
See eye to eye	Agree	We don’t see eye to eye on politics.
Spill the beans	Reveal a secret	Who spilled the beans about my birthday party?
Take with a grain of salt	Be skeptical	Take his advice with a grain of salt—he exaggerates a lot.
The ball is in your court	It’s your decision	I’ve done my part; now the ball is in your court.
Under the weather	Feeling sick	I’m not coming to work today—I’m feeling under the weather.
Up in the air	Uncertain	Our holiday plans are still up in the air.
Hit the books	Study hard	I have an exam tomorrow, so I need to hit the books.
Go the extra mile	Make extra effort	She went the extra mile to help me with my project.
On cloud nine	Extremely happy	He was on cloud nine after winning the lottery.
Bite off more than you can chew	Take on more than you can handle	I bit off more than I could chew by accepting two jobs.
In hot water	In trouble	He’s in hot water for missing the deadline.
Play devil’s advocate	Argue the opposite side for discussion	I’m not against your idea, but I’ll play devil’s advocate for a moment.
Run out of steam	Lose energy or enthusiasm	I started the project with enthusiasm, but now I’ve run out of steam.
The last straw	The final problem that makes a situation unbearable	His rude comment was the last straw—I quit my job.
Turn a blind eye	Ignore something	The teacher turned a blind eye to the students’ whispers.
Throw in the towel	Give up	After failing three times, he threw in the towel.
Hit the sack	Go to bed	I’m exhausted—I’m going to hit the sack.
Break a leg	Good luck	Break a leg in your IELTS Speaking test!
Water under the bridge	Past problems that are no longer important	Our argument was months ago—it’s water under the bridge now.
Don’t judge a book by its cover	Don’t judge something based on appearance	He looks shy, but don’t judge a book by its cover—he’s really outgoing.
Take a rain check	Postpone an invitation	I can’t go out tonight, but I’ll take a rain check.
Cut to the chase	Get to the main point	Stop talking in circles and cut to the chase!
Rule of thumb	A general principle	As a rule of thumb, drink eight glasses of water daily.
Spitting image	A strong resemblance	She’s the spitting image of her mother.
Hold your horses	Wait and be patient	Hold your horses! Let’s think before making a decision.
Get a head start	Begin something early	Arriving early gave me a head start on the competition.
Out of the blue	Suddenly, unexpectedly	She called me out of the blue after five years!
Pass with flying colors	Succeed with high marks	He passed his IELTS exam with flying colors.
Work one’s way up	Move to a higher position gradually	She started as an intern and worked her way up to manager.
Every cloud has a silver lining	Every bad situation has a positive side	Losing the job was hard, but every cloud has a silver lining—I found a better one.

Tired of scrolling through the list of common idioms for IELTS Speaking?

Download useful idioms for IELTS Speaking PDF for 100 such idioms

How are Idioms for IELTS Speaking helpful?

Using idioms for IELTS Speaking can help you express yourself more fluently and creatively and help you get a higher band score. Given below are some key ways you can use the common idioms for IELTS Speaking for a band 9 in IELTS exam.

Improves Your Lexical Resource Score

One of the four scoring criteria for IELTS Speaking is Lexical Resource (Vocabulary Range & Accuracy). To score Band 7 or higher, you need to demonstrate a wide range of vocabulary, including idiomatic expressions, collocations, and phrasal verbs.

IELTS Band Score	Criteria Related to Vocabulary
7	Uses some less common and idiomatic vocabulary.
8	Uses a wide range of vocabulary fluently and flexibly, with some awareness of style and collocation.
9	Uses a full range of vocabulary with natural and sophisticated control.

By strategically using idioms correctly, you can demonstrate advanced vocabulary usage, pushing your IELTS Lexical Resource score higher.

Enhances Fluency and Coherence

Understanding fluency and coherence in IELTS Speaking is another important aspect of scoring high in this module. If you use idioms naturally, your speech sounds more fluid and effortless, just like a native speaker.

Examples

Without Idioms (Choppy Speech, Band 6-6.5)	With Idioms (Smooth Speech, Band 8-9)
Q: Describe a time when you faced a difficult situation. A: I had a lot of work to do, and it was very hard for me. I did not know what to do at first, but then I tried my best and finished my project.	Q: Describe a time when you faced a difficult situation. A: Last month, I was really up to my neck in work. At first, I felt completely at my wit’s end, but then I decided to bite the bullet and focus. In the end, I managed to finish my project on time.

Without Idioms (Choppy Speech, Band 6-6.5)

With Idioms (Smooth Speech, Band 8-9)

Q: Describe a time when you faced a difficult situation.

A: I had a lot of work to do, and it was very hard for me. I did not know what to do at first, but then I tried my best and finished my project.

Q: Describe a time when you faced a difficult situation.

A: Last month, I was really up to my neck in work. At first, I felt completely at my wit’s end, but then I decided to bite the bullet and focus. In the end, I managed to finish my project on time.

Makes Your Speech More Engaging & Expressive

Idioms add color, depth, and personality to your responses, making them more engaging for the examiner. A speech that sounds mechanical or robotic can lower your score, whereas expressive speech sounds more natural and interesting.

Examples

Without Idioms (Choppy Speech, Band 6-6.5)	With Idioms (Smooth Speech, Band 8-9)
Q: Do you enjoy traveling? A: Yes, I like traveling. It makes me happy and helps me relax.	Q: Do you enjoy traveling? A: Absolutely! Traveling is my way of getting away from it all. Every time I visit a new place, I feel on cloud nine. It really broadens my horizons and gives me a fresh perspective on life.

Without Idioms (Choppy Speech, Band 6-6.5)

With Idioms (Smooth Speech, Band 8-9)

Q: Do you enjoy traveling?

A: Yes, I like traveling. It makes me happy and helps me relax.

Q: Do you enjoy traveling?

A: Absolutely! Traveling is my way of getting away from it all. Every time I visit a new place, I feel on cloud nine. It really broadens my horizons and gives me a fresh perspective on life.

Shows Native-Like Proficiency

Incorporating idioms smoothly into conversation helps you sound more like a native English speaker. Daily conversations of native speakers frequently include idioms; therefore, using them yourself will enhance your fluency and naturalness.

Band 6-6.5 Response (Basic English)	Band 8-9 Response (Native-Like Speech)
I like exercising because it is good for my health and makes me feel good.	I hit the gym regularly because, as they say, a healthy body leads to a healthy mind. Plus, working out is my way of blowing off steam after a long day.

Helps You Express Emotions & Opinions Clearly

Idioms allow you to convey emotions, thoughts, and experiences vividly, rather than using simple, repetitive phrases.

Examples

Without Idioms (Basic, Band 6)	With Idioms (Expressive, Band 8-9)
Q: How do you feel about public transport in your city? A: It is okay. Sometimes it is good, sometimes bad. It is often late, and I do not like that.	Q: How do you feel about public transport in your city? A: Public transport here is really hit or miss. On some days, it's great, but on others, it’s a nightmare—especially when buses are late and you’re left high and dry in bad weather.

Without Idioms (Basic, Band 6)

With Idioms (Expressive, Band 8-9)

Q: How do you feel about public transport in your city?

A: It is okay. Sometimes it is good, sometimes bad. It is often late, and I do not like that.

Q: How do you feel about public transport in your city?

A: Public transport here is really hit or miss. On some days, it's great, but on others, it’s a nightmare—especially when buses are late and you’re left high and dry in bad weather.

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Common Errors Students Make While Using Idioms in IELTS Speaking

Besides learning IELTS idioms for speaking, it is also important to know the common mistakes that IELTS aspirants usually make. It will help you avoid them while taking IELTS Speaking practice tests and making a habit of using them properly.

Using Idioms Incorrectly – Many students misuse idioms or use them in the wrong context, making their speech sound unnatural. Example: Saying ‘I hit the sack at the library’ instead of ‘I hit the sack after a long day’ (since ‘hit the sack’ means going to sleep).
Overusing Idioms – Some test takers try to cram too many idioms into their answers, which can make them sound forced or unnatural. It's better to use a few idioms correctly rather than many incorrectly.
Pronouncing Idioms Incorrectly – Mispronunciation can confuse the examiner and affect clarity. Example: Saying ‘a blessing in this guy’ instead of ‘a blessing in disguise’.
Forcing Idioms Where They Don’t Fit – Idioms should flow naturally within the conversation. If they feel out of place, it’s better to use a simple phrase instead.
Mixing Up Idioms – Students sometimes combine two different idioms accidentally, such as ‘Don’t count your chickens before they cross the road’. (A mix of ‘Don’t count your chickens before they hatch’ and ‘Why did the chicken cross the road?')

So, the best way to use idioms effectively is to practice them in context through conversation, rather than just memorizing them.

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Tips to Use Idioms for IELTS Speaking to Score 8.0+

In order to boost your performance in the IELTS Speaking test, here are some IELTS exam preparation tips for band score of 8+ to help you understand the use of idioms for IELTS Speaking:

Make a note of idioms that use irregular verbs. You will have to conjugate verbs if another tense is used.
Try to use more cultural idioms and phrases for IELTS answers. This helps you to sound like a native speaker of the English language.
You must be well versed in all seven types of idioms, which are, pure idioms, prepositional idioms, partial idioms, binomial idioms, euphemisms, proverbs, and clichés.
Ensure to understand the concept of collocations when incorporating idioms in your IELTS Speaking and Writing answers.
Be natural and comfortable with your answers in IELTS.
Too many idioms can make your answers sound forced and unnatural. Aim to use a reasonable amount of idioms that will make your response sound natural and fluent.

Incorporating these common idioms for IELTS speaking responses can add depth and authenticity to your IELTS Vocabulary. However, it’s essential to use them appropriately and in context. With the right idiomatic expressions, you’ll impress the examiners and elevate your overall speaking score. Good luck!

Formal idiomatic expressions can enhance your writing and help you get a good band score. If you are looking for more help with your IELTS preparation, sign up for our IELTS online classes!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are some idioms and phrases for IELTS?

Idioms and phrases for IELTS, such as “cut to the chase” (getting to the main point) and “throw in the towel” (give up on something), can enrich your language skills and make your responses more engaging. It is important to choose idioms and phrases that are appropriate for the context and that you are comfortable using.

What are some common idioms used in the IELTS Speaking test?

Common idioms used in the IELTS speaking test include “burning the midnight oil” (working late), “hit the nail on the head” (describe something accurately), To be on the ball (Be alert and aware of what is happening), To be up to one’s ears in work (Be very busy), which can enhance your language proficiency and expressiveness during the IELTS Speaking test.

Are idioms for speaking important?

Yes, idioms for speaking are important as they add depth and fluency to your language, showcasing advanced proficiency and making your communication more engaging and refined.

How many idioms should I learn for IELTS Speaking?

There is no set number of idioms that you need to learn for IELTS speaking. However, it is helpful to learn a variety of idioms so that you can use them in a variety of contexts.

How can I learn idioms for IELTS Speaking?

There are many ways to learn idioms for IELTS speaking. You can read books and articles about idioms, watch movies and TV shows, listen to songs, and talk to native speakers.