Live Out Of A Suitcase – Idiom Of The Day For IELTS

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, “Live out of a suitcase,” is useful when describing a temporary, unsettled lifestyle, often related to travel, moving frequently, or not having a permanent home.

Meaning of Live Out of a Suitcase

Definition: To live out of a suitcase means to not have a permanent place to live, usually while traveling or staying somewhere temporarily. It suggests a lifestyle where someone is constantly on the move and has limited belongings with them.

Origin of the Idiom Live Out of a Suitcase

The idiom originates from the literal experience of travelers who lived with only what they could carry in a suitcase. Over time, it evolved to symbolize a temporary, unsettled way of life, often used when talking about people who travel for work, students moving abroad, or even families relocating.

Usage of Live Out of a Suitcase in Context

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

• “I’ve been living out of a suitcase ever since I started my new job abroad.”
• “During my internship in another city, I had to live out of a suitcase for two months.”
• “Some people enjoy living out of a suitcase because it gives them a sense of adventure.

Pro tip: Use this idiom naturally when describing travel, relocation, or temporary living situations.

When to Use the Idiom Live Out of a Suitcase

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

• Talking about travel experiences.
• Describing a temporary living situation.
• Discussing the stress or excitement of moving frequently.

Idiom Scenarios

Scenario 1:
Sam: Why do you look so tired?
Asha: Because I’ve been living out of a suitcase for weeks, and I miss home.

Scenario 2:
Mia: Do you like traveling for work?
Arjun: Sometimes, yes. But living out of a suitcase all the time can be exhausting.

Sample Answer Using the Idiom Live Out of a Suitcase

IELTS Speaking Part 2 – Describe a time when you felt very stressed.

Sample Answer:
One of the most stressful times in my life was when I had to attend a month-long training program in another city. During that period, I was living out of a suitcase because the accommodation was temporary, and I had very few belongings with me. It was quite difficult because I couldn’t settle into a routine, and constantly moving made me feel unsettled. However, I managed to cope by staying organized and reminding myself that it was only for a short while. Looking back, that experience taught me how to adapt quickly to new environments.

IELTS Vocabulary Tip for Live Out of a Suitcase

Using idioms like live out of a suitcase makes your IELTS Speaking answers sound fluent, natural, and flexible. This idiom is particularly effective when discussing travel, temporary situations, or stressful lifestyles.

Exercise: Live Out of a Suitcase

Multiple-Choice Question
Q1: What does “live out of a suitcase” mean in the sentence below?
“After a month on business trips, I’m tired of living out of a suitcase.”

a) Buying a new house
b) Traveling without a permanent home
c) Sleeping without luggage
d) Feeling successful

Correct Answer: b) Traveling without a permanent home

Fill-in-the-Blank
Q2: “After weeks of business travel, she was exhausted from __________.”

a) Living out of a suitcase
b) Breaking the ice
c) Raising the bar
d) Silver lining

Correct Answer: a) Living out of a suitcase

To sum up, live out of a suitcase is a practical idiom to use in IELTS Speaking when describing temporary or unsettled living conditions. Whether you are talking about travel, job relocations, or stressful experiences, this idiom helps you express ideas more naturally and impress the examiner with advanced vocabulary. If you're aiming for top scores, follow 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+