When learning English, one of the biggest challenges for students is sounding natural and fluent. This is where idioms come into play. Idioms are phrases that don’t mean exactly what the words say, but instead carry a figurative meaning.
For example, saying “it’s raining cats and dogs” doesn’t mean animals are falling from the sky—it simply means it’s raining heavily.
For students preparing for the IELTS exam, idioms can be a powerful tool. They not only enrich your vocabulary but also show examiners that you have a strong grasp of natural, everyday English.
Whether it’s in the speaking test, writing task, or listening and reading sections, using idioms appropriately can boost your score and help you sound more like a native speaker.
Mastering idioms for IELTS is not just about memorization—it’s about knowing when and how to use them correctly. In this guide, you’ll find 50 useful idioms, explained in simple English with examples, alternatives, and tips for usage.
Did You Know?
The word idiom comes from the Greek word idios, which means one’s own. That’s why idioms often feel like unique cultural phrases—because they belong to the way native speakers naturally talk in everyday life.
Idioms About Success and Achievement
The sky’s the limit
Meaning: There are no limits to what you can achieve.
Example: If you work hard during your IELTS preparation, the sky’s the limit.
Alternative: Endless possibilities
Note: Used in motivational or positive conversations.
Hit the nail on the head
Meaning: To describe something exactly or correctly.
Example: You hit the nail on the head when you said practice is the key to IELTS success.
Alternative: Get it right
Note: Common in daily conversations and formal discussions.
Rome wasn’t built in a day
Meaning: Important things take time to achieve.
Example: Improving your English takes time—Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Alternative: Good things take time
Note: Encouraging expression, often informal.
Go the extra mile
Meaning: Put in more effort than expected.
Example: She went the extra mile by writing essays daily to prepare for IELTS.
Alternative: Put in extra effort
Note: Common in professional and academic settings.
A feather in one’s cap
Meaning: An achievement to be proud of.
Example: Getting a high IELTS score will be a feather in your cap.
Alternative: An accomplishment
Note: Slightly formal, often used in writing.
Break new ground
Meaning: Do something innovative or make progress.
Example: His research breaks new ground in language learning.
Alternative: Pave the way
Note: Suitable for academic or professional contexts.
Make the grade
Meaning: To meet the required standard.
Example: You need strong writing skills to make the grade in IELTS.
Alternative: Meet expectations
Note: Often used in academic situations.
On the right track
Meaning: Moving in the correct direction.
Example: Your practice essays are improving; you’re on the right track.
Alternative: Heading the right way
Note: Friendly, informal tone.
Pull out all the stops
Meaning: Make every possible effort.
Example: He pulled out all the stops to prepare for the exam.
Alternative: Do everything possible
Note: Common in both daily and academic English.
Climb the ladder
Meaning: Make progress, usually in career or achievement.
Example: With IELTS success, you can climb the ladder in your career.
Alternative: Move up
Note: Often used professionally.
Idioms About Hard Work and Effort
Burn the midnight oil
Meaning: Stay up late working or studying.
Example: She burned the midnight oil preparing for IELTS.
Alternative: Stay up late studying
Note: Common for student life.
No pain, no gain
Meaning: You must work hard to achieve results.
Example: Practice may feel tiring, but no pain, no gain.
Alternative: Effort brings success
Note: Motivational, informal.
By the book
Meaning: Follow rules exactly.
Example: The examiner wants you to write essays by the book.
Alternative: Follow the rules
Note: Used in academic or professional contexts.
Keep your nose to the grindstone
Meaning: Work hard and continuously.
Example: He kept his nose to the grindstone until exam day.
Alternative: Stay focused
Note: Slightly old-fashioned, but common.
Put your best foot forward
Meaning: Do your best in any situation.
Example: In the speaking test, put your best foot forward.
Alternative: Do your best
Note: Encouraging and motivational.
Work against the clock
Meaning: Work quickly because of limited time.
Example: I was working against the clock to finish the writing task.
Alternative: Race against time
Note: Very common in daily usage.
Give it your all
Meaning: Put all your energy into something.
Example: She gave it her all during IELTS preparation.
Alternative: Try your hardest
Note: Informal but powerful.
Sweat blood
Meaning: Work extremely hard.
Example: He sweated blood to achieve a high score.
Alternative: Work like a dog
Note: More dramatic, informal.
Push the envelope
Meaning: Go beyond normal limits.
Example: She pushed the envelope by using advanced vocabulary.
Alternative: Go beyond limits
Note: Common in academic writing.
Blood, sweat, and tears
Meaning: Great effort and sacrifice.
Example: It took blood, sweat, and tears to prepare for IELTS.
Alternative: Hard work
Note: Very common, dramatic but natural.
Idioms About Confidence and Communication
Speak your mind
Meaning: Say what you think clearly.
Example: In IELTS speaking, it’s important to speak your mind.
Alternative: Be honest
Note: Informal but useful in speaking.
Have the gift of the gab
Meaning: Be good at speaking.
Example: He did well in the IELTS speaking test because he has the gift of the gab.
Alternative: Good talker
Note: Informal expression.
Lost for words
Meaning: Unable to speak due to surprise or confusion.
Example: She was lost for words when she got her IELTS results.
Alternative: Speechless
Note: Common in daily use.
In black and white
Meaning: Clear and written down.
Example: IELTS instructions are given in black and white.
Alternative: Clear statement
Note: Useful in academic contexts.
Get straight to the point
Meaning: Speak directly without delay.
Example: In IELTS writing, it’s important to get straight to the point.
Alternative: Be direct
Note: Useful in both speaking and writing.
Break the ice
Meaning: Start a conversation comfortably.
Example: The examiner asked a simple question to break the ice.
Alternative: Start talking
Note: Common in social and test settings.
Talk the talk
Meaning: Speak confidently, but not always act.
Example: He can talk the talk, but he needs practice to write well.
Alternative: Big talker
Note: Informal, slightly critical.
Keep someone posted
Meaning: Keep someone updated.
Example: Please keep me posted about your IELTS progress.
Alternative: Update someone
Note: Useful in professional communication.
Word of mouth
Meaning: Information spread by people talking.
Example: Many students learn about IELTS classes by word of mouth.
Alternative: Gossip, recommendation
Note: Informal, everyday speech.
Read between the lines
Meaning: Understand hidden meaning.
Example: In IELTS reading, you often have to read between the lines.
Alternative: Look deeper
Note: Useful in academic tasks.
Idioms About Challenges and Failure
A tough nut to crack
Meaning: Something difficult to solve.
Example: The IELTS listening section is a tough nut to crack.
Alternative: Hard problem
Note: Common, informal.
Back to square one
Meaning: Start again from the beginning.
Example: If your essay is off-topic, you’re back to square one.
Alternative: Start over
Note: Informal but useful.
Miss the boat
Meaning: Miss an opportunity.
Example: He missed the boat by not registering for IELTS on time.
Alternative: Lose the chance
Note: Informal.
Cut corners
Meaning: Do something quickly or cheaply but not properly.
Example: Don’t cut corners in IELTS writing—it will lower your score.
Alternative: Take shortcuts
Note: Used in warnings.
A blessing in disguise
Meaning: Something that seems bad but turns out good.
Example: Failing the first attempt was a blessing in disguise because she studied harder.
Alternative: Hidden advantage
Note: Encouraging tone.
Up in the air
Meaning: Uncertain or undecided.
Example: My IELTS date is still up in the air.
Alternative: Not decided
Note: Informal.
Hit rock bottom
Meaning: Reach the lowest point.
Example: He felt he hit rock bottom after failing IELTS twice.
Alternative: Lowest point
Note: Emotional, informal.
Bite off more than you can chew
Meaning: Take on more than you can handle.
Example: She bit off more than she could chew by registering without preparation.
Alternative: Overcommit
Note: Common warning.
Learn the ropes
Meaning: Understand how something works.
Example: Once you learn the ropes of IELTS tasks, it gets easier.
Alternative: Get familiar
Note: Informal, helpful tone.
Weather the storm
Meaning: Survive a difficult situation.
Example: She weathered the storm of IELTS stress and succeeded.
Alternative: Overcome difficulties
Note: Motivational, often informal.
How to Use These Idioms in Daily Life
- Speaking: Use idioms naturally in IELTS Speaking Part 1 and 2. For example, if asked about study habits, you could say: “I usually burn the midnight oil when exams are near.”
- Writing: Use idioms carefully and only in essays where informal tone fits (e.g., letters). In formal essays, avoid very casual idioms.
- Professional Usage: Idioms like “by the book” or “make the grade” are excellent for professional discussions or job interviews.
Common Mistakes Learners Make With Idioms
- Wrong Meaning
❌ It’s raining cats and dogs, so I love cats.
✅ It’s raining cats and dogs, so I’ll stay inside. - Overusing Idioms
❌ I burned the midnight oil, then I pulled out all the stops, then I gave it my all…
✅ Use 1–2 idioms naturally in a response, not a chain of them. - Wrong Context
❌ Rome wasn’t built in a day, so I will skip the exam.
✅ Rome wasn’t built in a day, so I will keep practicing daily.
FAQs
1. Can I use idioms in IELTS Writing?
Yes, but carefully. Use them in informal writing tasks (like letters) more than formal essays.
2. Do idioms improve my IELTS Speaking score?
Yes. Using idioms naturally shows fluency and flexibility, which can raise your band score.
3. Should I memorize all idioms?
No. Learn a few idioms for each topic and practice using them naturally.
4. What if I use an idiom incorrectly?
It’s better to use fewer idioms correctly than many incorrectly. Wrong usage may confuse the examiner.
5. Are idioms the same in all English-speaking countries?
Some idioms are universal, but others are region-specific. For IELTS, focus on commonly used British and American idioms.
Conclusion
Idioms are a fantastic way to show that you don’t just “know English”—you live it. In IELTS, idioms can give you the extra edge in both speaking and writing, as long as they are used naturally and correctly.
Remember, it’s not about memorizing hundreds of phrases, but about choosing the right one at the right time. With practice, you’ll soon find yourself speaking and writing with confidence, sounding more fluent and natural.
So, start today—learn these idioms, practice them in daily life, and watch your English shine in IELTS and beyond!
