Check out other Idioms
Don’t Spare the Horses Idiom: Meaning, Origin, Usage & Exercises
In the high-speed world of urgent tasks and immediate results, there is an idiom that perfectly captures the demand for urgency and speed, ‘don’t spare the horses’. It may sound like something from an old western or a historical drama, but its figurative meaning is just as relevant in modern workplaces, emergency situations, and even IELTS Speaking tests. In this blog post, we will explore the meaning, origin, and usage of the idiom ‘don’t spare the horses’, and provide examples. Don’t Spare the Horses Idiom: Meaning The idiom ‘don’t spare the horses’ means to act or proceed with maximum speed or effort, without holding...
5 min read
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Bottom of the Barrel Idiom: Meaning, Origin, Usage & Exercises
Imagine rushing to the flash sale you were waiting for the whole year or reaching out in the cookie jar for your favourite, only to find your most desired item sold or only crumbs left at the bottom. The idiom, bottom of the barrel, describes exactly that feeling. In this blog post, we will explore the meaning, origin, and usage of the idiom ‘bottom of the barrel’ and provide examples from the IELTS exam. Bottom of the Barrel Idiom: Meaning The idiom ‘bottom of the barrel’ refers to the worst or least desirable people or things in a group. In simpler...
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Close but no Cigar Idiom: Meaning, Origin, Usage & Exercises
Sometimes, in life, we nearly win or achieve something, only to fall just short at the end. One powerful and common idiom in IELTS Speaking that describes such moments is ‘close but no cigar’. This blog explores the meaning, origin, and IELTS-specific usage of the 'close but no cigar' idiom, along with exercises to solidify your understanding. Close but no Cigar Idiom: Meaning The meaning of the idiom ‘close but no cigar’ is as follows: Be very close to accomplishing a goal but fall short Almost successful in doing something, but not quite Fall just short of a desired outcome, and get...
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Turn Turtle Idiom: Meaning, Origin, Usage & Exercises
Life being uncertain, there are situations where things change completely or there is a sudden reversal in situations. One of the useful idioms for IELTS Speaking to score band 8.0+ and explain such a situation is ‘turn turtle’. Whether you are describing a business collapse, a boat capsizing, or a plan gone awry, this idiom convey the ideas perfectly. In this blog, we will explore the meaning, origin, and usage of the idiom ‘turn turtle’, and provide examples for IELTS Speaking. Turn Turtle Idiom: Meaning The idiom ‘turn turtle’ means to capsize, overturn, or end up on one’s back unexpectedly. Figuratively, it...
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Monkey Business Idiom: Meaning, Origin, Usage & Exercises
From classrooms and corporate offices to childhood memories and adult frustrations, we have all encountered moments that lacked seriousness or involved sneaky behavior. In such cases, English speakers often use the vibrant idiom ‘monkey business’. It adds a richness in imagery and meaning when used to describe playful pranks or suspicious actions. So, for IELTS candidates aiming to impress with idiomatic range, ‘monkey business’ is a golden phrase that reflects both playfulness and precision. In this blog, we will explore the meaning, origin, and usage of the idiom ‘monkey business’, one of the useful idioms for IELTS Speaking to score band...
6 min read
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Everything but the Kitchen Sink Idiom: Meaning, Origin, Usage & Exercises
Imagine someone packing for a weekend trip and bringing not just clothes and toiletries but also an iron, a blender, a pillow, six books, and a yoga mat. You might say, ‘They brought everything but the kitchen sink!’. This vivid, humorous idiom captures the absurdity of over-preparing or including excessive items. Whether it is in conversation, writing, or IELTS essays, this idiom is one of the best phrases to use in IELTS Speaking to paint a picture of excessiveness. In this blog post, we will explore the meaning, origin, and usage of the idiom ‘everything but the kitchen sink’, and provide examples,...
5 min read
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Get down to Business Idiom: Meaning, Origin, Usage & Exercises
As an IELTS candidate or someone working hard to fulfil their professional ambition, you must be determined to achieve something or complete a task successfully. This demonstration of urgency, dedication, and hard work is expressed by the idiom, get down to business. Unlike vague phrases like ‘start now’, this idiom conveys readiness, intent, and a no-nonsense approach, the kind of expression that signals maturity and fluency to IELTS examiners. In this blog post, we will explore the meaning, origin, and usage of the idiom ‘get down to business’, and provide examples, especially for IELTS Speaking. Get down to Business Idiom: Meaning...
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At Your Wit's End Idiom: Meaning, Origin, Usage & Exercises
Have you ever been in a situation where you’ve exhausted every possible solution, but nothing seems to work, and you don’t know what else to do? That’s when the idiom ‘at your wit’s end’ becomes relevant and extremely expressive. In the IELTS Speaking tasks, especially when describing challenges, emotional pressure, or problem-solving, using such idioms demonstrates advanced vocabulary and natural tone. In this blog post, we will explore the meaning, origin, and usage of the idiom ‘at your wit’s end’ and provide examples for IELTS Speaking and Writing. At Your Wit's End Idiom: Meaning The idiom ‘at your wit’s end’ describes a...
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Grasping at Straws Idiom: Meaning, Origin, Usage & Exercises
You might have come across situations where you are desperately trying to solve a problem or protect yourself with whatever ideas or efforts you can at that moment. The idiom, grasping at straws, explains such situations. In IELTS, understanding and using such idioms appropriately can help you impress examiners with both your fluency and your cultural competence. In this blog post, we will explore the meaning, origin, and usage of the idiom grasping at straws’ and provide examples from the IELTS exam. Grasping at Straws Idiom: Meaning The idiom, grasping at straws, means to attempt something with little hope or logic,...
4 min read
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Rank and File Idiom: Meaning, Origin, Usage & Exercises
In the IELTS exam, students are often asked to discuss topics like leadership, teamwork, workplace roles, or government systems. In such contexts, using useful idioms for IELTS Speaking to score band 8.0+, such as ‘rank and file’, can add fluency and lexical flexibility to your language. This blog explores the meaning, origin, and IELTS-specific usage of the 'rank and file' idiom, along with exercises to solidify your understanding. Rank and File Idiom: Meaning The idiom ‘rank and file’ refers to the ordinary or lower-level members of an organisation, such as employees, workers, soldiers, or party members, as opposed to leaders or...
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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...
6 min read
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Done to a Turn Idiom: Meaning, Origin, Usage & Exercises
When you have a meal at your favourite restaurant or any eatery, you enjoy it because it is perfectly cooked. Since food and restaurants are common topics in IELTS, you need to add more vocabulary related to this topic instead of repeating phrases like ‘perfectly cooked’. This is where the idiom ‘done to a turn’ can help you out. Though culinary in origin, it also serves metaphorical uses in academic writing and high-level conversation. In this blog post, we will explore the meaning, origin, and usage of the idiom ‘done to a turn’, and provide examples for IELTS Speaking and Writing. Done...
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The Silent Majority Idiom: Meaning, Origin, Usage & Exercises
In the realm of public opinion and political discourse, one expression that often surfaces in speeches and debates is ‘the silent majority’. For IELTS test-takers, particularly in Speaking and Writing tasks that explore topics like society, government, or protest movements, mastering useful idioms for IELTS Speaking to score band 8.0+ like this one, can give your language a sophisticated edge. In this blog, we will explore the meaning, origin, and usage of the idiom ‘the silent majority’ and provide examples from the IELTS exam. To learn more idiomatic expressions, check out the video below for a few more that will help you...
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Second-Class Citizen Idiom: Meaning, Origin, Usage & Exercises
In IELTS, sometimes you might come across topics related to discrimination in the speaking or writing task. In such cases, especially in IELTS Speaking Part 3 and Writing Task 2, you can use the idiom, second-class citizen, to express how a person’s rights and opportunities are treated as less important than those of other people in the same society. In this blog, we will explore the meaning, origin, and usage of the idiom second-class citizen, and provide examples for IELTS Speaking and Writing. Remember, you can use mind maps to improve your IELTS vocabulary and etch such idioms and phrases in your memory. Second-Class...
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A Self-Made Man Idiom: Meaning, Origin, Usage & Exercises
In IELTS Speaking and Writing, examiners often discuss success, your personal achievements, career journeys, or even describe a person you love/like/admire. The idiom ‘a self-made man’ fits seamlessly in such contexts. It reflects not only a rich vocabulary but also cultural awareness of what it means to achieve success without privilege, support, or inherited wealth, a core theme in many IELTS topics related to work, education, and personal development. In this blog, we will explore the meaning, origin, and usage of the idiom ‘a self-made man’, and provide examples for IELTS Speaking and Writing. A Self-Made Man Idiom: Meaning A self-made...
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A Different Kettle of Fish Idiom: Meaning, Origin, Usage & Exercises
Idioms like ‘a different kettle of fish' are the secret sauce to boosting your IELTS band score, especially in IELTS Speaking Part 3 and Writing Task 2, where you need to compare ideas, explore alternatives, or analyse contrasts. Unlike overused phrases like ‘on the other hand’, this idiom allows you to introduce subtle differences between topics, issues, or people with native-like flair. In this blog, we will explore the meaning, origin, and usage of the idiom ‘a different kettle of fish’, and provide examples for IELTS Speaking and Writing. There is an additional treat for you! In the video below, learn some...
7 min read
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In the Prime of Life - Idiom of the Day for IELTS
Age-related topics frequently appear across IELTS, from discussions about generational differences to health and ageing. One powerful and common idiom in IELTS Speaking that can instantly enrich your answers is ‘in the prime of life’. This expression is especially useful when describing people at their physical, intellectual, or emotional peak, and it can make your descriptions more expressive, mature, and memorable. This blog explores the meaning, origin, and IELTS-specific usage of the 'in the prime of life' idiom, along with exercises to solidify your understanding. In the Prime of Life Idiom: Meaning The idiom ‘in the prime of life’ refers to the...
6 min read
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Let Sleeping Dogs Lie Idiom: Meaning, Origin, Usage & Exercises
If you wish to achieve Band 7 and above, especially in the speaking module, it is mandatory to upgrade your word list with the latest IELTS Speaking vocabulary to boost your score and sound natural. In order to sound native-like, you have to use idioms, like ‘let sleeping dogs lie’, to add depth to your expression and opinion. In this blog post, we will explore the meaning, origin, and usage of the idiom ‘let sleeping dogs lie’ and provide examples from the IELTS exam. Before you move on to further details of this specific idiom, check out the video below to learn...
6 min read
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Bear Fruit Idiom: Meaning, Origin, Usage & Exercises
Preparing for an exam like IELTS is considered a success only when you achieve your desired scores. To do so, it is important, especially in IELTS Speaking, to sound natural while answering the questions or the cue card by using common yet expressive idioms, like ‘bear fruit’. In this blog post, we will explore the meaning, origin, and usage of the idiom ‘bear fruit’, and provide examples for IELTS Speaking and Writing. Bear Fruit Idiom: Meaning The idiom ‘bear fruit’ means to achieve a desired result after consistent effort, demonstrating success, or producing positive results. Usually, the phrase refers to plans, investments,...
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Play One's Ace Idiom: Meaning, Origin, Usage & Exercises
In high-stakes communication, whether you are in a negotiation, interview, or academic argument, knowing when and how to use your strongest point can make all the difference. The idiom ‘play one’s ace’ captures this powerful strategy and is a brilliant addition to your IELTS Speaking and Writing vocabulary, particularly in topics involving competition, strategy, education, and leadership. In this blog, we will explore the meaning, origin, real-life usage, and examples of this idiom that are specific to IELTS, followed by exercises to solidify your understanding and boost your confidence. Play One's Ace Idiom: Meaning To ‘play one’s ace’ means to use one’s...
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