To Go Pear-Shaped Idiom: Meaning, Origin, Usage & Exercises

If you are preparing for the IELTS and want to showcase native-like fluency, idioms like ‘to go pear-shaped’ can be powerful additions to your vocabulary, particularly when discussing plans, problems, or unexpected outcomes. This idiom is especially handy for IELTS Speaking Part 2 or 3, where candidates often talk about plans gone wrong, mistakes, or dealing with failure. It captures a sudden shift from success to failure, and using it correctly shows a strong lexical resource.

This blog explores the meaning, origin, and IELTS-specific usage of the 'to go pear-shaped' idiom, along with exercises to solidify your understanding.

Check out the short video below to learn some useful phrases for IELTS Speaking and impress your examiner!

To Go Pear-Shaped Idiom: Meaning

While the Cambridge Dictionary defines ‘to go pear-shaped’ as something that fails or goes badly wrong, the Oxford Learner's Dictionary defines it as a British informal expression meaning to become worse or fail.

In simple terms, the idiom ‘to go pear-shaped’ is used to describe a situation that has gone wrong, failed unexpectedly, or turned out badly, often after initially showing signs of success. 

Origin of To Go Pear-Shaped Idiom

The origin of the idiom, to go pear-shaped, is still in dispute. To explain the origin of this phrase, there are a few conflicting elucidations. 

• One goes back to the 1940s when RAF pilots used to get frustrated in case their endeavour to create a phenomenal aerial route went pear-shaped instead of perfectly circular. 
• Another story is related to WWI, when observational balloons wouldn’t get inflated as designed but would go pear-shaped. 
• Lesser known in the United States of America, the phrase got the media’s attention when a British politician, Margaret Thatcher, used it in front of the press, available at the spot from different parts of the world, at one of her first meetings with the president of America, Ronald Reagan.

The use of this idiom left several media people confused, as they were not aware of the meaning.

To Go Pear-Shaped Idiom Usage

The idiom, to go pear-shaped’ is informal and frequently used in casual conversations, especially in British English. So, let us go through some examples that will help you learn the idiom effectively and achieve your desired IELTS band score.

• We should have a plan B in case the primary plan goes pear-shaped.
• The surprise birthday party for my sister went pear-shaped as she got to know everything.
• Although the beginning was a blast, however, after losing two consecutive matches, our team’s performance went pear-shaped.
• His career going pear-shaped is the sole reason for anxiety for him.
• If things start going pear-shaped for you, how long does it take before you act and take charge?
• Our camping trip went completely pear-shaped when it started raining and the tent collapsed.
• I tried to bake a cake for my friend’s birthday, but it all went pear-shaped—I forgot the sugar!

To Go Pear-Shaped Idiom: Synonyms and Related Phrases

We have listed some common idioms in IELTS Speaking related to the idiom, to go pear-shaped.

To Go Pear-Shaped Idiom: Detailed Usage in IELTS Contexts

‘To go pear-shaped’ is especially useful in conversations about past experiences, projects, or plans that did not go as intended. Since it is informal, it can still be used in Speaking Part 1, 2, or 3, as long as it fits the tone of the conversation. You can use mind maps to improve your IELTS vocabulary for this section. 

IELTS Speaking Part 1 – Daily Life / Experiences

• Question: Have you ever tried cooking something new?
• Answer: "Yes, I once tried baking a cake for my sister’s birthday, but it went completely pear-shaped! I forgot the baking powder, so it came out flat and hard as a rock."

IELTS Speaking Part 2 

• Topic: Describe a time when something didn’t go as planned.
• Answer Excerpt: "...Everything was going smoothly until the day of the event. Unfortunately, the sound system failed, and the schedule went pear-shaped after that. We had to rearrange everything on the spot, which was stressful, but we managed to adapt."

IELTS Speaking Part 3 – Discussion/Abstract Topics

• Question: Do you think careful planning always prevents problems?
• Answer: "Not necessarily. Even with the best planning, unexpected things can happen. Sometimes, events go pear-shaped due to factors beyond our control, like bad weather or technical failures."

To Go Pear-Shaped Idiom: Practice Exercises

The exercises below will help you learn the correct usage of the idiom ‘to go pear-shaped’, allowing you to understand its meaning and application.

1 Which of the following is the correct usage of ‘to go pear-shaped’?

A The project went pear-shaped, and we celebrated our success.

B Our plans went pear-shaped when the flight was suddenly cancelled.

C I went pear-shaped because I ate too many fruits.

D The presentation went pear-shaped because it was very informative.

2 Choose the sentence that MISUSES the idiom ‘to go pear-shaped’.

A Everything was fine until the power cut—then it all went pear-shaped.

B Our holiday plans went pear-shaped when our hotel booking got cancelled.

C I went pear-shaped after I ran five kilometers this morning.

D The interview went pear-shaped because I forgot my documents.

3 Which alternative phrase means the same as ‘to go pear-shaped’?

A To hit the jackpot

B To go according to plan

C To fall through

D To be over the moon

4 What does it mean if someone says, "Our holiday plans went pear-shaped"?

A They had an enjoyable time

B Their plans were better than expected

C They traveled to a place shaped like a pear

D Their plans failed or got ruined

5 How would a businessperson use this idiom in context?

A "The project went pear-shaped after the budget was cut."

B "The merger was pear-shaped and profitable."

C "Our team shaped pears for the client pitch."

D "The office went pear-shaped and got renovated."

6 What is the tone implied when someone says ‘it went pear-shaped’?

A Joyful and celebratory

B Ironic or disappointed

C Neutral and informative

D Proud and confident

To Go Pear-Shaped Idiom: Answer Keys for Practice Exercises

Exercise A

1. B
2. C (‘I went pear-shaped’ is a literal misinterpretation. The idiom refers to situations, not people.)
3. C (‘To fall through’ also means to fail or not succeed, similar in meaning to ‘go pear-shaped’.)
4. D
5. A
6. B

In conclusion, using the idiom ‘to go pear-shaped’ shows you can handle complex ideas in a concise, culturally aware way. It is perfect for IELTS candidates wanting to express failures or setbacks, discuss problems in personal or professional situations, and show adaptability in speaking. Therefore, experiment with your speaking responses for IELTS Speaking practice tests, as incorporating idioms like this one boosts your band score and makes your English sound more authentic and native-like.

Useful Links:

• A Different Kettle of Fish Idiom: Meaning, Origin, Usage & Exercises 
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• Fall From Grace - Idiom of the Day for IELTS Speaking & Writing
• 100+ Advanced Vocabulary Word List for IELTS (PDF Available)
• IELTS Speaking Vocabulary - 30 Academic Words That Will Help You Score IELTS Band 9 (Part 1)
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