Mastering Idioms: Your Comprehensive Guide for IELTS Success

Idioms are an integral part of the English language, adding color, depth, and nuance to communication. For IELTS test-takers, a solid understanding and appropriate use of idioms can significantly boost your score, particularly in the Speaking and Writing sections. This article provides a comprehensive guide to idioms, focusing on those most relevant to the IELTS exam. We’ll explore definitions, structural breakdowns, various categories, usage rules, common mistakes, and practice exercises to help you confidently incorporate idioms into your IELTS preparation. This resource is designed for students aiming for a high band score who want to enrich their vocabulary and demonstrate a sophisticated command of English.

By mastering idioms, you’ll not only improve your IELTS score but also gain a deeper appreciation for the richness and expressiveness of the English language. Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

• Definition of Idioms
• Structural Breakdown of Idioms
• Types and Categories of Idioms
• Examples of Idioms
• Usage Rules for Idioms
• Common Mistakes with Idioms
• Practice Exercises
• Advanced Topics: Nuances and Subtleties
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Definition of Idioms

An idiom is a phrase or expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the ordinary meanings of the individual words within it. In simpler terms, it’s a saying where the literal definition differs from the figurative meaning. Idioms are deeply rooted in culture and history, often reflecting specific events, customs, or beliefs. Understanding idioms is crucial for comprehending native English speakers and expressing yourself naturally and fluently.

Idioms can be classified based on their function within a sentence. Some act as verbs (e.g., kick the bucket), while others function as adjectives (e.g., dead as a doornail) or adverbs (e.g., in the nick of time). Recognizing the grammatical role of an idiom is essential for using it correctly in your writing and speaking.

The context in which an idiom is used is paramount to its understanding. The same idiom can have different connotations or implications depending on the situation and the speaker’s intention. Therefore, it’s important to pay attention to the surrounding words and the overall tone of the conversation or text.

Structural Breakdown of Idioms

Idioms often consist of a combination of words that, when taken literally, make little or no sense. The structure of an idiom can vary, but they typically involve nouns, verbs, prepositions, and adjectives arranged in a specific order. The key is that the meaning isn’t derived from the individual parts but from the entire phrase as a unit.

Some idioms maintain a fixed structure, meaning the words cannot be altered without changing or losing the meaning. For example, “hit the nail on the head” cannot be changed to “strike the nail on the head” without sounding unnatural. Other idioms are more flexible, allowing for slight variations in word order or tense.

Understanding the grammatical structure of an idiom can help you remember it and use it correctly. Identify the verb, noun, and any prepositions involved. Consider how the idiom functions within a sentence – is it the main verb, a modifier, or part of a larger phrase? Analyzing the structure can also reveal clues about the idiom’s origin and meaning.

Types and Categories of Idioms

Idioms can be categorized based on various criteria, including their thematic content, grammatical structure, and level of formality. Here are some common categories:

1. Verb-Based Idioms

These idioms contain a verb and often describe an action or state. Examples include: “to call it a day” (to stop working), “to break the ice” (to ease tension), and “to get the ball rolling” (to start something).

2. Prepositional Idioms

These idioms rely heavily on prepositions to convey their meaning. Examples include: “on cloud nine” (extremely happy), “under the weather” (feeling unwell), and “in the same boat” (facing the same difficulties).

3. Simile-Based Idioms

These idioms use similes (comparisons using “like” or “as”) to create vivid imagery. Examples include: “as cool as a cucumber” (calm and composed), “as blind as a bat” (having poor eyesight), and “as easy as pie” (very easy).

4. Metaphorical Idioms

These idioms use metaphors (implied comparisons) to convey a symbolic meaning. Examples include: “a piece of cake” (easy), “a storm in a teacup” (a big fuss over a small issue), and “the elephant in the room” (an obvious problem that no one wants to discuss).

5. Common Topic-Based Idioms

Many idioms relate to specific topics such as money, time, relationships, or health. These are extremely useful for IELTS, and are shown in the table below.

Examples of Idioms

Here are several tables showcasing different categories of idioms, with examples and explanations.

Table 1: Common Idioms Related to Money

This table lists idioms that are frequently used when discussing financial matters, business, or the economy.

Idiom	Meaning	Example Sentence
Break the bank	Cost too much; be very expensive.	“That new car is beautiful, but it will break the bank.”
Cost an arm and a leg	Be very expensive.	“The renovations to our house cost an arm and a leg.”
A penny saved is a penny earned	Saving money is as good as earning it.	“I always pack my lunch to work; a penny saved is a penny earned.”
Tighten one’s belt	Spend less money due to financial hardship.	“With the rising cost of living, we all need to tighten our belts.”
Bring home the bacon	Earn a living; provide for one’s family.	“My mother worked two jobs to bring home the bacon.”
Live from hand to mouth	Spend all your money as soon as you get it.	“Many people in developing countries live from hand to mouth.”
In the red	Operating at a loss; in debt.	“The company has been in the red for the past two years.”
In the black	Operating at a profit; not in debt.	“After a successful quarter, the company is finally in the black.”
Golden handshake	A large sum of money given to someone when they leave a company.	“The retiring CEO received a generous golden handshake.”
Nest egg	Savings accumulated for retirement or future use.	“She has been diligently building her nest egg for her retirement.”
Cash cow	A product or business that generates a lot of money.	“Their software division is the company’s cash cow.”
Go Dutch	Split the bill equally.	“Let’s go Dutch on dinner tonight.”
Foot the bill	Pay for something.	“My parents footed the bill for my college education.”
Born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth	Born into a wealthy family.	“He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and never had to work a day in his life.”
Money doesn’t grow on trees	Money is not easily obtained.	“You can’t just buy everything you want; remember, money doesn’t grow on trees.”
Make ends meet	Have just enough money to cover expenses.	“It’s difficult to make ends meet with the rising cost of living.”
A fool and his money are soon parted	Foolish people quickly lose their money.	“He invested in a risky scheme, proving that a fool and his money are soon parted.”
Have sticky fingers	Have a tendency to steal.	“The cashier was fired because he had sticky fingers.”
Rake it in	Earn a lot of money.	“The company is raking it in with its new product line.”
Worth its weight in gold	Extremely valuable or useful.	“A reliable employee is worth their weight in gold.”
Shell out	Spend money, especially unwillingly.	“I had to shell out a lot of money for car repairs.”
Sweeten the deal	Make an offer more attractive by adding something.	“They sweetened the deal by offering free delivery.”
On the breadline	Very poor; having just enough money to live on.	“Many families are on the breadline due to unemployment.”
Laugh all the way to the bank	Earn a lot of money easily.	“With their innovative product, they’re laughing all the way to the bank.”
Keep up with the Joneses	Try to match the possessions and lifestyle of one’s neighbors.	“They bought a bigger house just to keep up with the Joneses.”

Table 2: Common Idioms Related to Time

This table includes idioms used to describe or discuss time, schedules, and deadlines.

Idiom	Meaning	Example Sentence
Around the clock	All day and all night; continuously.	“The doctors worked around the clock to save the patient’s life.”
Beat the clock	Finish something before the deadline.	“I managed to beat the clock and submit the report on time.”
Better late than never	It’s better to do something late than not at all.	“I finally finished the project, better late than never.”
Call it a day	Stop working on something.	“It’s getting late; let’s call it a day.”
In the nick of time	Just in time; at the last possible moment.	“The ambulance arrived in the nick of time.”
Once in a blue moon	Very rarely.	“I only go to the cinema once in a blue moon.”
Time flies	Time passes quickly.	“Time flies when you’re having fun.”
Against the clock	Rushing to meet a deadline.	“We were working against the clock to finish the project.”
Ahead of time	Early; before the scheduled time.	“The meeting started ahead of time because everyone was ready.”
Behind the times	Outdated; not up-to-date with current trends.	“His views on technology are a bit behind the times.”
Day in, day out	Every day for a long period of time.	“I do the same routine day in, day out.”
From dawn till dusk	From morning until night.	“The farmers worked from dawn till dusk during the harvest season.”
Have the time of your life	Enjoy yourself very much.	“We had the time of our lives on our vacation.”
Kill time	Do something to make time pass more quickly.	“We killed time by playing cards while waiting for the train.”
Lose track of time	Be unaware of how much time has passed.	“I lost track of time while reading that fascinating book.”
Make up for lost time	Do something quickly to compensate for a delay.	“After the delay, we had to make up for lost time.”
Around the corner	About to happen; very near in time.	“Spring is just around the corner.”
At the drop of a hat	Immediately; without hesitation.	“She’s ready to travel at the drop of a hat.”
Burn the midnight oil	Work late into the night.	“I had to burn the midnight oil to finish the report on time.”
A race against time	A situation where one has to work very fast to meet a deadline.	“Saving the endangered species is a race against time.”
Twenty-four/seven	All the time; constantly.	“The store is open twenty-four/seven.”
In the long run	Eventually; over a long period of time.	“This investment will pay off in the long run.”
Take your time	Not rush; proceed at your own pace.	“Take your time; there’s no need to hurry.”
The eleventh hour	The last possible moment.	“The agreement was reached at the eleventh hour.”
A sign of the times	Something that is typical of the present time.	“The popularity of social media is a sign of the times.”

Table 3: Common Idioms Related to Relationships

This table lists idioms related to interpersonal relationships, friendships, and family.

Idiom	Meaning	Example Sentence
See eye to eye	Agree with someone.	“My brother and I don’t always see eye to eye on politics.”
Get along with	Have a good relationship with someone.	“I get along with my colleagues very well.”
On the same wavelength	Thinking alike; understanding each other.	“We’re on the same wavelength when it comes to music.”
Bury the hatchet	Make peace; end a conflict.	“After years of disagreement, they decided to bury the hatchet.”
Clear the air	Resolve a misunderstanding.	“We need to clear the air after our argument yesterday.”
A shoulder to cry on	Someone who offers support and comfort.	“She’s always been a shoulder to cry on for me.”
Two peas in a pod	Very similar; inseparable.	“They’re like two peas in a pod; they do everything together.”
Through thick and thin	Through good times and bad times.	“We’ve been friends through thick and thin.”
A fair-weather friend	Someone who is only a friend when things are going well.	“He proved to be a fair-weather friend when I lost my job.”
Hit it off	Become friends quickly.	“We hit it off immediately when we met.”
To have a soft spot for someone	To feel affection for someone.	“I’ve always had a soft spot for my little niece.”
To be on the rocks	To be having problems in a relationship.	“Their marriage seems to be on the rocks.”
To wear the pants in the family	To be the dominant person in a relationship.	“Everyone knows she wears the pants in the family.”
To tie the knot	To get married.	“They are planning to tie the knot next summer.”
To be joined at the hip	To be very close and spend a lot of time together.	“Those two are joined at the hip; you never see one without the other.”
To get off on the wrong foot	To make a bad first impression.	“I got off on the wrong foot with my new boss.”
Birds of a feather flock together	People with similar interests tend to associate with each other.	“Those guys all love sports; birds of a feather flock together.”
Like father, like son	Sons tend to resemble their fathers in character or behavior.	“He’s a talented musician, like father, like son.”
Blood is thicker than water	Family relationships are stronger than other relationships.	“I’ll always support my brother; blood is thicker than water.”
To be in someone’s good books	To be in favor with someone.	“I tried to be in my teacher’s good books by always doing my homework.”
To rub someone the wrong way	To annoy or irritate someone.	“He tends to rub people the wrong way with his arrogant attitude.”
To patch things up	To resolve a disagreement and restore a relationship.	“They managed to patch things up after their argument.”
To keep someone at arm’s length	To avoid becoming too close to someone.	“She tends to keep people at arm’s length because she’s afraid of getting hurt.”
To wear your heart on your sleeve	To openly display your emotions.	“He wears his heart on his sleeve, so everyone knows how he’s feeling.”
To have a heart of gold	To be very kind and generous.	“She has a heart of gold and is always helping others.”

Table 4: Common Idioms Related to Health

This table showcases idioms related to health, illness, and well-being.

Idiom	Meaning	Example Sentence
Under the weather	Feeling unwell.	“I’m feeling a bit under the weather today.”
As fit as a fiddle	In excellent physical condition.	“My grandmother is 80 years old, but she’s as fit as a fiddle.”
A clean bill of health	Official confirmation that someone is healthy.	“After the check-up, he received a clean bill of health.”
Full of beans	Energetic and lively.	“The children were full of beans after their nap.”
Kick the bucket	To die.	“He kicked the bucket peacefully in his sleep.” (Note: This idiom can be considered insensitive in some contexts.)
On its last legs	Near the end of its life or usefulness.	“That old car is on its last legs.”
To be back on your feet	To recover from an illness or difficulty.	“After a few weeks of rest, I’m finally back on my feet.”
To feel out of sorts	To feel slightly unwell or unhappy.	“I’ve been feeling out of sorts all day.”
To be in good shape	To be in good physical condition.	“He exercises regularly, so he’s in good shape.”
To be as right as rain	To be perfectly well again.	“After a good night’s sleep, I’ll be as right as rain.”
To be at death’s door	To be very close to death.	“He was at death’s door after the accident.”
To be green around the gills	To look ill or nauseous.	“She looked green around the gills after the roller coaster ride.”
To have a frog in your throat	To have difficulty speaking due to a throat irritation.	“I have a frog in my throat; excuse my hoarse voice.”
An apple a day keeps the doctor away	Eating healthy food can prevent illness.	“I try to eat a balanced diet; an apple a day keeps the doctor away.”
To take a turn for the worse	To become sicker.	“His condition took a turn for the worse overnight.”
To be given a new lease on life	To have a chance to live longer or with improved health.	“After the successful surgery, he was given a new lease on life.”
To be on the mend	Recovering from an illness or injury.	“She’s been on the mend since her surgery.”
To recharge your batteries	To rest and regain energy.	“I need to go on vacation to recharge my batteries.”
To be out of breath	Having difficulty breathing due to exertion.	“I was out of breath after running up the stairs.”
To be snowed under	Overwhelmed with too much work or responsibilities.	“I’m snowed under with tasks this week.”
To be a couch potato	Someone who spends a lot of time sitting and watching television.	“He’s become a bit of a couch potato since he retired.”
To get something off your chest	To reveal something that has been bothering you.	“I need to get something off my chest; I have a confession to make.”
To have a sweet tooth	To enjoy eating sweet foods.	“I have a sweet tooth; I love chocolate.”
To be in tip-top shape	To be in excellent condition.	“He trains every day to stay in tip-top shape.”
To take something to heart	To take something seriously and be affected by it.	“He took her criticism to heart and worked hard to improve.”

Usage Rules for Idioms

Using idioms correctly requires attention to grammatical context, formality, and cultural sensitivity. Here are some important rules to keep in mind:

1. Grammatical Accuracy: Ensure the idiom fits grammatically within the sentence. Use the correct tense, subject-verb agreement, and word order. For example, instead of saying “She hit the nail to the head,” say “She hit the nail on the head.”

2. Contextual Appropriateness: Consider the audience and the situation. Some idioms are informal and unsuitable for formal writing or professional settings. Choose idioms that align with the tone and purpose of your communication.

3. Avoid Overuse: Using too many idioms can make your writing or speech sound unnatural or contrived. Use them sparingly and strategically to enhance your message, not to overwhelm it.

4. Cultural Sensitivity: Be aware that some idioms may be offensive or insensitive in certain cultures. Research the origin and connotations of an idiom before using it, especially when communicating with people from different backgrounds.

5. Understand the Meaning: This seems obvious, but it is critical. Never use an idiom if you are unsure of its meaning. Using an idiom incorrectly can lead to misunderstandings and miscommunications.

Common Mistakes with Idioms

One of the most common mistakes is the misuse of prepositions within idioms. For example, saying “I’m on the cloud” instead of “I’m on cloud nine.” Pay close attention to the correct preposition and its placement within the idiom.

Another frequent error is taking idioms too literally. Remember that the meaning of an idiom is figurative, not literal. Avoid interpreting the individual words within the idiom and focus on the overall meaning of the phrase.

Using idioms in the wrong context is another common mistake. For instance, using an informal idiom in a formal essay or presentation. Be mindful of the level of formality and choose idioms that are appropriate for the situation.

Here are some examples of common mistakes, along with the correct usage:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
“He is kicking a bucket.”	“He kicked the bucket.”	The correct idiom is “kick the bucket,” meaning to die.
“I’m feeling under weather.”	“I’m feeling under the weather.”	The correct idiom is “under the weather,” meaning feeling unwell.
“She hit the nail in the head.”	“She hit the nail on the head.”	The correct idiom is “hit the nail on the head,” meaning to be exactly right.
“We see eye to eye to that.”	“We see eye to eye on that.”	The correct idiom is “see eye to eye on,” meaning to agree.
“It cost me an arm and leg.”	“It cost me an arm and a leg.”	The correct idiom is “cost an arm and a leg,” meaning to be very expensive.

Practice Exercises

Test your knowledge of idioms with these practice exercises. Choose the correct idiom to complete each sentence.

Exercise 1: Multiple Choice

Choose the correct idiom to complete each sentence.

Question	Options	Answer
1. After a long day at work, I just want to ______.	a) call it a night b) call it a day c) call it a week	b) call it a day
2. The project was ______, but we managed to finish it on time.	a) a piece of cake b) a walk in the park c) a tall order	c) a tall order
3. He always ______ when it comes to making important decisions.	a) sits on the fence b) jumps the gun c) beats around the bush	a) sits on the fence
4. She was ______ when she found out she had won the lottery.	a) on cloud seven b) on cloud nine c) on cloud eleven	b) on cloud nine
5. They decided to ______ and start fresh after their argument.	a) bury the hatchet b) dig a hole c) build bridges	a) bury the hatchet
6. The new policy is expected to ______ for the company’s profits.	a) bring home the bacon b) cost an arm and a leg c) break the bank	a) bring home the bacon
7. I can’t afford that; it will ______!	a) cost a penny b) cost a dime c) break the bank	c) break the bank
8. He arrived ______ to catch the train.	a) in the nick of time b) ahead of time c) behind the times	a) in the nick of time
9. They ______ immediately and became best friends.	a) hit it off b) called it off c) brushed it off	a) hit it off
10. She’s been feeling ______ since she caught a cold.	a) under the weather b) over the moon c) on top of the world	a) under the weather

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences with the correct idiom from the list below.

Idiom List: a storm in a teacup, break the ice, call a spade a spade, get something off your chest, once in a blue moon

Question	Answer
1. The argument was just ______, a lot of fuss about nothing.	a storm in a teacup
2. He decided to ______ and tell her how he really felt.	get something off your chest
3. We only go out dancing ______.	once in a blue moon
4. To ______ at the meeting, she told a funny joke.	break the ice
5. He always ______ and says exactly what he thinks.	calls a spade a spade

Exercise 3: Sentence Completion

Complete the sentences using the idiom provided in brackets. Change the form of the idiom if necessary.

Question	Answer
1. I had to ______ to finish the project on time. (burn the midnight oil)	burn the midnight oil
2. They ______ when they realized they had a lot in common. (hit it off)	hit it off
3. It’s important to ______ during stressful times. (keep your chin up)	keep your chin up
4. He ______ after recovering from his illness. (be back on your feet)	was back on his feet
5. She ______ to make up for the lost time. (go the extra mile)	went the extra mile

Advanced Topics: Nuances and Subtleties

Beyond basic understanding, mastering idioms involves recognizing their subtle nuances and variations. Some idioms have regional variations, meaning they are more common in certain parts of the English-speaking world than others. For instance,
some idioms are more prevalent in British English compared to American English, and vice versa. Being aware of these regional differences can help you avoid using an idiom that sounds out of place or unfamiliar to your audience.

Idioms can also evolve over time, with new meanings and interpretations emerging. The context in which an idiom is used can influence its meaning, and understanding these contextual nuances is crucial for effective communication. For example, the idiom “to think outside the box” has become a common expression in business and creative fields, but its precise meaning can vary depending on the specific situation.

Furthermore, some idioms have multiple meanings or can be used in different ways. Recognizing these variations requires a deep understanding of the English language and a keen awareness of the social and cultural context in which the idiom is being used. By paying attention to these advanced topics, you can elevate your use of idioms from basic comprehension to masterful command.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Mastering idioms is a valuable asset for IELTS test-takers and anyone seeking to improve their English language skills. By understanding the definition, structure, types, usage rules, and common mistakes associated with idioms, you can confidently incorporate them into your writing and speaking.

Remember to use idioms appropriately, sparingly, and with cultural sensitivity. Practice regularly, expand your vocabulary, and pay attention to the nuances of the English language. With dedication and effort, you can unlock the power of idioms and achieve your desired score on the IELTS exam. Good luck!