Look like a Million Dollars - Idiom of the Day for IELTS

IELTS vocabulary, or lexical resources, accounts for 25% of the total score in both the speaking and writing sections of the IELTS exam. Therefore, learning idioms like ‘look like a million dollars’ is very crucial for enhancing both writing and speech.

In this blog, we will learn the meaning, origin and usage of the idiom, along with examples of how to use it to your advantage when preparing for the IELTS Speaking and Writing.

Look like a Million Dollars: Meaning

‘Look like a million dollars’ means to appear extremely attractive, elegant, stylish, or impressive, especially in terms of physical appearance or fashion. While often applied to someone's looks, it can also describe objects, settings, or anything that appears lavish or impressive.

Look like a Million Dollars: Origin

The idiom stems from the early 20th century, particularly during a time when one million dollars was seen as an extraordinary amount of money, a symbol of opulence and high status. 

The phrase draws on this imagery to express admiration. To ‘look like a million dollars’ suggests that the person or thing has an appearance so polished, expensive, or glamorous that it is comparable to something worth a fortune. 

The phrase gained popularity in the Hollywood golden era, where movie stars were often described as looking ‘like a million dollars’ due to their glitzy costumes, perfect grooming, and charm on screen.

Look like a Million Dollars: Variations

While ‘look like a million dollars’ is the standard form, there are a few variations:

• Look like a million bucks – a more informal American version.
• Feel like a million dollars – describes feeling very good, confident, or healthy.

Look like a Million Dollars: Examples

Using idioms like ‘look like a million dollars’ can help make compliments sound more creative and sincere, improve fluency and natural expression and understand compliments and descriptions in media, movies, or conversations.

Here’s how the idiom is used in everyday situations:

• You look like a million dollars in that red gown — absolutely stunning!
• After the spa treatment and makeover, she looked like a million bucks.
• He walked into the wedding in a sharp black tuxedo, looking like a million dollars.
• The renovated hotel lobby looks like a million dollars — elegant and modern!

Look like a Million Dollars: Exercises

Take up these exercises given below to master the correct usage of the idiom, look like a million dollars. 

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the correct words using the idiom “look like a million dollars” (or a suitable variation).

1 After getting her hair and makeup done, she __________.

2 That suit really makes you __________.

3 He felt nervous before the speech, but once he wore his new blazer, he __________.

4 The bride looked __________ on her wedding day.

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice Questions

5 What does the idiom ‘look like a million dollars’ mean?

A) To be very rich

B) To look extremely attractive or glamorous

C) To win a lottery

D) To owe a lot of money

6Which of the following sentences uses the idiom correctly?

A) I lost a million dollars and still look tired.

B) She looked like a million dollars after running a marathon.

C) He wore a designer suit and looked like a million dollars at the party.

D) I feel like a million bucks because I counted my money.

7 Feel like a million dollars’ means:

A) To want a lot of money

B) To feel sick

C) To feel fantastic, healthy, or confident

D) To have a million-dollar dream

Answers:

1 looked like a million dollars

2 look like a million bucks

3 looked like a million dollars

4 like a million dollars

5 B

6 C

7 C

The idiom ‘look like a million dollars’ is a fantastic way to express admiration and praise in a stylish, engaging manner. Whether you are complimenting a friend or describing a glamorous event/dress/person for IELTS cue cards, this idiom instantly adds charm to your expression. So next time someone dresses up, don’t just say ‘You look nice’, tell them, ‘You look like a million dollars!’.

Useful Links:

• Useful Phrasal Verbs for IELTS Speaking (with Meaning & Examples)
• Common Idioms List for IELTS Speaking
• Useful Idioms & Expressions About Happiness And Anger for IELTS Speaking 
• 25 Common Idioms in IELTS Speaking (Part 3/5) 
• Useful Idioms for IELTS to Score Band 8.0+