IELTS Idiom Practice #Set1
Idioms when used in the speaking section showcase that you have a better understanding of English language. Using them therefore, increases your band. Let us learn idioms which when used in answering speaking section can help you score better.
IELTS Idiom Practice
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A Penny for your thoughts
- Meaning – ask someone who is quiet what they are thinking about. This is usually done when the other person is waiting for an answer or suggestion or in general opinion of the other person on a matter. This idiom is used in form of request rather than demand.
Note : One can use this in group discussions as well.
Sentence – “There came a lull in the conversation, and Brandon said, ‘Penny for your thoughts?’” (The Tahlequah Daily Press) -
Against the clock
- Meaning – do something as fast as possible usually before time
Sentence – With the deadline for project being a day away, she was working against the clock. -
Lend an ear
- Meaning – listen carefully and in a friendly way to someone.
Sentence – Avinash is a friend one needs in times of trouble, he always lends an ear for as long one needs -
hit the hay
- Meaning – go to bed
Sentence: Our house had a rule where everyone must hit the hay by 11 pm. -
get a head start
- Sentence – Start before all others.
Meaning – Her proactive nature helped her get a head start to her competitors. -
to be in arms about something
- Meaning – upset or angry about something Sentence : She has been up in arms about the late promotions she got.
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on cloud nine
- Meaning – very happy; deliriously happy
Sentence – When she got to know that her IELTS results was more than her expected 7, she was on cloud 9. -
in the nick of time
- Meaning – not too late but very close.
Sentence – I reached office just in the nick of time. -
hard feelings
- Meaning – feelings of resentment; emotion of being upset or offended.
Sentence: There are no hard feelings but considering everything I am left with no other option but to let you go. -
be sick to death something/doing something
- Meaning: to be angry or bored because of something unpleasant happening for a long time
Sentence: Last Sunday I was sick to death copying all the modules working around changes only ants could see. -
rain or shine
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Meaning – something will happen regardless of weather or other difficulties.
Sentence – Come rain or shine, she does not stops working towards her goals.
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Down to Earth
- Meaning – practical and realistic Sentence: The project needed people who were down to Earth and could deliver upon what is promised.
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On the Ball
- Meaning: Active and aware of things Sentence: Although the Indian cricket team has been criticized, it has always proved that it stands on the ball.
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full of beans
- Meaning: a person who is lively, active and healthy. Sentence: Everyone enjoys the company of my father probably because he is full of beans.
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Explore all avenues
- Meaning: Investigate every possible means to find a solution to a given problem or to achieve desired outcome. Sentence: He explored all his avenues before he started on working on his own company.
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next to nothing
- Meaning: to cost very little Sentence: I brought this kajal at amazon during their prime time sale for next to nothing.
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fresh or clean out of something
- Meaning: have sold up or used up the last of something
Sentence: We would need to buy new groceries. It seems we are fresh out of them. -
at all cost
- Meaning: do everything to achieve or get something. Sentence: Having seen the side of broken dreams, I will make sure I achieve all my dreams at all cost.
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Put yourself in somebody’s shoes
- Meaning – positioning yourself in someone’s else position to understand their emotions or decisions. Sentence – If only you could put yourself in my shoes, you would understand why I made the decision.
Stay tuned for IELTS idiom practice !
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