Pound The Pavement - Idiom of the Day for IELTS Speaking & Writing

Kasturika Samanta

5 min read

Updated On Sep 02, 2025

Looking for the right vocabulary for job-search and want to avoid repeating the same words? Use the idiom 'Pound The Pavement' in IELTS Speaking & Writing sections and learn its synonyms as well as topics where you can use it to elevate your band scores.

Pound The Pavement - Idiom of the Day for IELTS Speaking & Writing

Meaning of the Idiom ‘Pound The Pavement’
Topics to Use ‘Pound The Pavement’ in IELTS Speaking & Writing
Exercise on ‘Pound The Pavement’ for IELTS Speaking & Writing

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The idiom 'Pound the Pavement' focuses on the concept of persistent searching, particularly for a job or opportunity. Such an idiom would allow you to showcase your proficiency, cultural insight, and vocabulary, which are some of the important traits to have. As you prepare for the IELTS Exam, idioms are invaluable in preparing for the IELTS Speaking and Writing sections as they improve the natural flow and depth of the language.

Let’s look at the idiom ‘Pound The Pavement’ and understand its usage in your answer!

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Meaning of the Idiom ‘Pound The Pavement’

Improving your vocabulary is an important step in getting a higher IELTS Band Score under the lexical resource criterion. The idiom ‘Pound The Pavement’ would make your answers more thematic and memorable. Your confidence and performance in Speaking and Writing Sections will improve. Now, let us look and learn the meaning of the idiom and how to utilize it in different sentences.

Topic	Description
Pound The Pavement	Idiom
Definition	Looking for a job.
Synonyms	Job hunting, Look for Work, Search for employment
Examples	For IELTS Speaking The students, who have just finished their study in high school, have to make an important decision whether they should pound the pavement or pursue a higher education. I have been pounding the pavement for months until I apply for this job. For IELTS Writing In the highly competitive labour market, pounding the pavement is more difficult for young people who don’t have any academic qualifications. Many graduates pound the pavement right after their final exams.

Want to learn Useful Idioms for IELTS Speaking? Check out the video given below!

Topics to Use ‘Pound The Pavement’ in IELTS Speaking & Writing

The use of idioms can improve your IELTS Speaking and Writing responses with fluidity, nuance, and a touch of elegance. Let’s look at the common IELTS topics where the idiom, ‘Pound the Pavement’, can be applied in both Speaking and Writing answers. This will make you become familiar with the topics and become well-prepared to integrate the idiom in a way that elevates your answers.

Job / Employment

Define actively searching for job positions and opportunities

For IELTS Speaking :

I spent pounding the pavement after graduation because I was determined to find specialized positions in my field.

For IELTS Writing :

Due to the scarcity of well-paid jobs, many graduate holders find themselves pounding the pavement in search of employment opportunities for extended periods.

Accommodation

Searching for a place to live and going to several places to find one.

For IELTS Speaking :

I began pounding the pavement to secure an affordable flat the first time I shifted to the city.

For IELTS Writing :

City dwellers search for appropriate flats in competitive markets, often pounding the pavement.

Opportunities

Looking for opportunities by meeting people or attending events

For IELTS Speaking :

I spent the weekend pounding the pavement due to my employers. I had to attend workshops in hope of meeting new ones.

For IELTS Writing :

In order to extend their professional circles, professionals in competitive industries frequently pound the pavement.

New Places

Looking for opportunities by meeting people or attending events

For IELTS Speaking :

I spent the weekend pounding the pavement due to my employers. I had to attend workshops in hope of meeting new ones.

For IELTS Writing :

In order to extend their professional circles, professionals in competitive industries frequently pound the pavement.

Opportunities

Moving around purposefully to collect details or to investigate

For IELTS Speaking :

While on vacation, I’d pound the pavement seeking out specialist shops as well as tourist “hot spots

For IELTS Writing :

Tourists usually pound the pavement in search of a town’s richer, more authentic corners.

Grab the Vocabulary for IELTS (Essential words for popular topics in IELTS) and take a step towards your desired band score of 8+.

Exercise on ‘Pound The Pavement’ for IELTS Speaking & Writing

Let’s examine how well you know the idiom ‘Pound The Pavement’. Doing this will improve your comprehension skills and also understand the correct usage in various settings. With time, idioms like these will add depth to your answer and help you develop your speaking and writing skills.

Select the right idiom to fill in the blank for the conversation.

At the Drop of a Hat	In the Same Boat	Break the Ice
A Tough Nut to Crack	Pound the Pavement	Hit the Books

Interviewer: What can you tell me about your recent job search?

Candidate: To be quite frank with you, it has been quite overwhelming. Every single day I’ve been 1 __________, dropping off résumés and attending interviews for positions, and the competition is stiff.

Interviewer: It is likely the opposite is true. In fact, the 2 __________ job market is quite challenging for fresh students because there is ample competition to find the right job.

Candidate: Yes! At times it feels like we are all 3 __________, trying to find our very first employment opportunity.

Interviewer: Yeah, that’s the case. But, keep an open mind. Employers appreciate constant effort. Also, a little networking goes a long way to 4 __________ at different gatherings.

Candidate: Certainly, I make an effort to approach people when I am in a new environment. Also, I have an interview 5 __________ and am willing to attend whenever called.

Interviewer: That’s positive. In the light of your job search, remember to 6 __________ and sharpen your skills, so you can get the job you desire.

Candidate: Indeed. It is difficult to balance both, but with persistent work, I am confident that I will achieve my goals.

Answer to the Exercise on ‘Pound The Pavement’ for IELTS Speaking & Writing

Now that you have attempted the exercise, it is time to start reviewing the answers for exercises on the idiom ‘Pound The Pavement’ .Comparing the answers is important so that you can start unlearning the mistakes and avoid it later in the future. The correct answers are given below, so let’s have a look at them.

Pounding the Pavement
A Tough Nut to Crack
In the Same Boat
Break the Ice
At the Drop of a Hat
Hit the Books

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By actively using the idiom in conversations, you will gain the knowledge on how to integrate them in your Speaking and IELTS Writing answers. Remember to include them in your mock tests, sample essays, and the speaking practice. This will not only improve your expression but also increase your confidence for the actual exam day.

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