Through and Through - Idiom of the Day for IELTS

Common idioms, like through and through, when used appropriately in the IELTS exam, can help you achieve a band score of 8 and above. They add a natural touch and fluency to your answer, as natives often use them in their daily speech. As a result, learning the meaning and correct usage is essential for IELTS aspirants.

In this blog post, we will explore the meaning, origin, and usage of the idiom ‘through and through’, and provide examples for IELTS Speaking and Writing.

Through and Through Idiom: Meaning

The idiom, ‘through and through’ means completely, entirely, or in every way. It often describes people who are fully committed to or embody a particular quality or identity.

It is a concise, meaningful phrase often used to emphasize someone’s true character, core beliefs, or total identification with a group, profession, or attitude. Whether you are talking about your national identity, a role model, or your personality traits in the speaking exam, this idiom lets you express something fully and confidently.

Through and Through Idiom: Examples in Everyday Usage

Here are several examples that illustrate how ‘through and through’ idiom works in natural conversation:

• He is a Londoner through and through. He knows every street and loves the city’s culture.
• Even after moving abroad, she remained an Indian through and through.
• She is a teacher through and through – always patient, passionate, and dedicated.
• I support that team through and through, no matter how badly they play.
• I have studied this report through and through trying to find the facts you have mentioned. 
• I was angry through and through, and I had to sit and recover before I could talk to anyone.
• He is a military man through and through.

Origin of the Idiom ‘Through and Through’

The idiom dates back to medieval English, where ‘through and through’ was used in a literal sense. It meant something that penetrated completely (e.g., ‘an arrow went through and through him’). Over time, the expression evolved metaphorically to describe character, beliefs, and behavior.

By the 18th century, it was commonly used to emphasize deep, unchanging qualities, as if the person's nature ran all the way through their being.

Through and Through Idiom: Detailed Usage in IELTS Contexts

The idiom ‘though and through’ fits naturally into responses where you are asked to describe people, values, identity, beliefs, or long-term behavior. 

In different sections of the IELTS Speaking exam, the idiom shows the examiner that you can use natural, idiomatic language to identify and describe personality and behaviour. 

While idioms must be used sparingly and appropriately in formal writing, ‘through and through’ can be acceptable when used in personal examples or opinion-based essays in IELTS Writing Task 2.

Let’s examine how this idiom fits into key IELTS topics:

IELTS Speaking Part 1 – About Yourself

Q: What kind of person are you?

A: “I’m an optimist through and through. I always try to find something positive in every situation, even when things go wrong.”

IELTS Speaking Part 2 – Cue Card: Describe a person you admire

A: “My grandfather is an army man through and through. Even in his 70s, he’s disciplined, punctual, and still wakes up at 5 AM every day. He’s someone I’ve always looked up to.”

IELTS Speaking Part 3 Discussion

Q: Do you think people change over time?

A: “Yes, people do change, but some core values often remain. For example, a person who is honest through and through may grow in other ways, but that honesty will likely stay the same.”

IELTS Writing Task 2

Essay Topic: Some people believe personality is fixed by the age of 10. Others think people can change over time. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Excerpt Using the Idiom:

While personality traits can evolve over time, certain qualities often remain unchanged. For instance, someone who is creative through and through may continue to express this trait in different forms throughout their life.

Through and Through: Practice Exercises

To effectively learn and use the idiom 'through and through', the following exercises will guide you through understanding its meaning and showing you how to apply it properly in various contexts and situations, helping you confidently incorporate it into your vocabulary.

1 What does “through and through” mean?

A A temporary habit

B A complete or consistent quality

C An extreme opinion

D Someone who travels a lot

2 “Even after retiring, he remained a soldier through and through.” What does this imply?

A He still wore his uniform.

B He moved to a military camp.

C His disciplined mindset and values never changed.

D He didn’t enjoy retirement.

1 He is completely loyal to his team.

2 She has always been deeply honest.

3 My mother is totally traditional in every sense.

Answer Key for the Practice Exercises on Through and Through Idiom

Now that you have completed the exercises above, cross-check your answers with the answer key below and understand whether you have grasped the ‘through and through’ idiom or not!

Exercise A:

1. B
2. C

Exercise B:

1. He is loyal to his team through and through.
2. She is honest through and through.
3. My mother is traditional through and through.

In conclusion, the idiom ‘through and through’ is short, powerful, and extremely versatile, ideal for describing deep character traits, cultural identity, and personal consistency. So, if you are aiming for Band 7 or above, idioms like this, when used appropriately during taking IELTS Speaking practice tests, or in the actual exam, can showcase your ability to use English like a native speaker. So next time you describe someone’s core qualities or loyalties, try using ‘through and through’ to make your point stronger and more impactful.

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