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IELTS speaking is one territory where idioms and phrases play a huge role. As a result, this blog is all set to present various phrases for IELTS speaking in order to boost candidates’ score.
The IELTS speaking test has three sections. Whereas in section 1, questions are related to general situations, whereas section 2 consists of a cue card with some sub-parts. While in section 1, answers need to be provided promptly, section 2 gives the candidate a minute to think and two minutes to provide the answer. As we move on to section 3, we need to once again provide prompt answers but a bit lengthier than part 1.
The speaking module consists of 11-14 minutes and a candidate has to use effective communication skills, idioms, and phrases in order to excel in this part. Let us move onwards to check some useful phrases for IELTS speaking that make us sound more professional.
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Some of the prominent phrases for IELTS speaking are displayed here and aspirants can witness amazing growth in their speaking band score. Here, we are going to describe the best phrases for IELTS speaking.
1. Beat around the bush - Definition - When someone tries to avoids any issue and is not straightforward.
Example - He is beating around the bush instead of talking directly about incentives.
2. Under the weather - Definition - When a person is unwell
Example - Mark has been under the weather since yesterday evening.
3. Apple of my eye - Definition - It is used for those whom we like very much.
Example - My father is the apple of my eye.
4. Kill two birds with one stone - Definition - When we can take care of two tasks simultaneously
Example - While proceeding with this project, I am trying to kill two birds with one stone.
5. Cold feet - Definition - When a person loses confidence or feels nervous
Example - When Henry was asked to speak on stage, he developed cold feet.
6. Set the record straight - Definition - When someone brings the truth forward
Example - Juliana tried to set the record straight after her neighbours raised concerns regarding her working pattern.
7. Snowed under - Definition - Having pressure of work
Example - I have been snowed under since the last five days.
8. Add fuel to the flames - Definition - Transforming a bad situation into worse.
Example - Jack, accidentally added fuel to the flames, when he asked Herman about her results.
9. Hit the sack - Definition - Go to sleep
Example - I usually hit the sack by 10 PM in the night; due to early morning shifts.
10. Get your act together - Definition - When you need to be organized and do everything properly
Example - Get your act together if you want to win the trophy.
11. Your guess is as good as mine - Definition - I have no idea
Example - As far as tomorrow’s match is concerned, your guess is as good as mine regarding the winner.
12. Good things come to those who wait - Definition - Patience is beneficial
Example - The share market will rise within a month and investors will benefit, as good things come to those who wait.
13. Back against the wall - Definition - When a person is in a tough situation and can’t get out of it
Example - The Norwegian football team scored two goals in the second half with their backs against the wall.
14. Up in arms - Definition - Very angry
Example - People in my area are up in arms against the new rule.
15. Break new ground - Definition - Do something new or innovative
Example - The film broke new ground in terms of collections.
16. Sell like hot cakes - Definition - When things are sold fast
Example - This year’s festival’s tickets were sold like hot cakes.
17. Run around in circles - Definition - Doing something for a long time without any result
Example - The officers are running around in circles to assemble election reports on time.
18. On cloud nine - Definition - When someone is extremely happy
Example - Henry is on cloud nine since his IELTS results arrived.
19. The best of both worlds - Definition - When we can get advantages from two sorts of things simultaneously
Example - Jack has received the best of both worlds, via his promotion and increment on the same day.
20. Speak of the devil - Definition - This phrase actually means that a person about whom we are talking has arrived unexpectedly.
Example - Speak of the devil and Akshat has arrived on the spot.
21. See eye to eye - Definition - When we agree with someone
Example - Both the parties saw eye to eye regarding building a new stadium.
22. Once in a blue moon - Definition - An incidence that is a rare occurrence
Example - I go to the library once in a blue moon.
23. Left out in the cold - Definition - When someone is ignored
Example - Ajay felt left out in the cold when his family didn’t inform him about his cousin’s marriage.
24. Blow hot and cold - Definition - When a person keeps on changing his/her attitude regarding something
Example - Veronica’s ideas regarding the project are quite unsure; she really blows hot and cold most of the time when asked about the same.
25. Cut corners - Definition - When we do things in a cheap and quick way, while ignoring quality
Example - The bridge on the river collapsed as the construction company cut corners and used pathetic materials while building it.
26. Boil the ocean - Definition - Undertake a quite difficult or impossible task
Example - If we try to manage more than five issues together, it will be akin to boiling the ocean.
27. Keep an ear to the ground - Definition - Pay attention and have knowledge about everything
Example - He kept his ear to the ground and organised various meetings with different clients.
28. Eat like a horse - Definition - Someone who has a huge appetite
Example - Isabel eats like a horse when it comes to desserts.
29. A snowball effect - Definition - It is a scenario where a lot of similar events follow one action
Example - Consistent investments in infrastructure might have a snowball effect and the city could see great developments regarding tourism.
30. A bird in the hand is better than two in the bush - Definition - It implies that any opportunity or thing we have currently should be given more importance in comparison to those opportunities which we might receive in future.
Example - Tanya should focus on her current job instead of entrepreneurship as a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush.
31. Chip off the old block - Definition - This phrase talks about a person who has excessive resemblance and similar behaviors with his/her parent.
Example - When Ronald saw his little brother collecting stones like their father used to do, he understood that the young lad was a chip off the old block.
32. Don’t cry over split milk - Definition - We shouldn’t think about those things in the past which we cannot change now
Example - When Ajax’s team lost the tournament, their coach tried to cheer them up by saying, “boys, don’t cry over split milk”.
33. Every cloud has a silver lining - Definition - Even in negative and adverse situations, there is a ray of hope
Example - In spite of suffering severe financial losses, Roger believes that he will overcome this situation as every cloud has a silver lining.
34. Beside yourself with joy - Definition-When someone is very happy
Example - You seem to be beside yourself with joy since you won the trophy.
35. Fair and square - Any achievement availed via honest and straightforward manner
Example - Our team won the match fair and square
36. Having an Ace up the sleeve - Definition- A weapon or advantage that is hidden so that it could be used at the most appropriate time
Example - Brian is keeping a low profile nowadays, but he has an ace up his sleeve which he will utilise in the upcoming board meeting.
37. A black sheep - Definition- Any person who brings a bad name to his family
Example - Alison turned out to be a black sheep for her parents and whole family.
38. Looking to your laurels - Definition - A person should not be so happy due to his/her achievements that he stops focusing on the future
Example - A successful state team doesn’t look into it’s own laurels and keeps on gaining new grounds to keep it’s legacy flourishing.
39. Bear a grudge - Definition - When we harbor resentment or anger against someone or something due to some former issue
Example - Samuel still bears a grudge against Rafael for not informing him about the upcoming trade deal.
40. By the skin of your teeth - Definition - When someone just barely makes it; via a small margin
Example - I was able to catch my flight by the skin of my teeth.
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Now, let us have a look at some more common phrases for IELTS speaking.
1. Easier said than done - Definition - Things are not as easy as they seem to be
Example - Although Netherlands seems to be an easy opponent, victory is easier said than done for the Brazilian team and they need to work very hard.
2. Draw the line - Definition - You need to stop a situation from getting out of hand
Example - David needs to understand that it’s important to draw the line before things go out of control in the organization.
3. Fish out of water - Definition - When a person is taken away from his comfort zone
Example - Thomas felt like a fish out of water in Los Angeles.
4. In the fast lane - Definition - To do things in a dangerous and exciting manner
Example - Helmet aims to live life in the fast lane; and has decided to give his music career a chance.
5. Go the extra mile - Definition - When a person makes excessive efforts
Example - Roman went the extra mile to get reinforcements for his team.
6. Give it a whirl - Definition - Try something new; mostly the first time
Example - Although I am afraid of swimming, I will definitely give it a whirl.
Candidates who use phrases during their speaking section are bound to impress examiners to the utmost extent. We will explain the advantages and disadvantages regarding phrases for IELTS speaking.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| If candidates are using phrases, then it also shows that they can manage day-to-day conversations in English-speaking countries. | One should try not to use excessively complex phrases as this might affect the rhythm. |
| A natural speaker who can utilise phrases in a proper manner can definitely witness a good increase in the speaking module. | Consistent use of the same sorts of phrases presents pathetic view and could display that aspirants don’t have enough content. |
| Practice is quite important as that will provide more perfection to the speaking module. | If a person is hesitating or fumbling in between, his score is definitely going to fall. |
| Perfect idioms and phrases in the speaking section displays an individual’s proficiency in English | One should try to keep a single phrase in an answer. As a result, the speed and content of the answer can be easily managed. |
As far as the speaking module is concerned, let’s look at some of the most prominent and useful phrases for IELTS speaking part 1.
| Phrases | Meanings | Examples |
| Step up your game | To enhance performance | Sandra needs to step up her game if she aims to win the taekwondo championship. |
| Be yourself | A person needn’t show off and rather behave his original self | Andre should try to be himself instead of flattering Anabella. |
| Pretty penny | Something that is quite expensive | George’s new baseball bat will cost a pretty penny. |
| Burn bridges | Destroy relationships | Ajax has burnt his bridges with Rosaline by approaching her client with his own business idea. |
| Crying Wolf | When a person asks for support despite not needing it | Anne does not pay too much attention to Russel as he’s a crying wolf. |
Candidates can also witness some interesting phrases for IELTS speakingpart 2 which in turn has the ability to boost their band score. They act as the perfect parameters for success and some of them are described here.
| Phrases | Meanings | Examples |
| To not see the wood for the trees | When a person is involved in minute issues and fails to understand large scale problems | Jack is so busy with minute information that he can’t see the wood for the trees. |
| Straight from the horse’s mouth | When you get information directly from the person involved with that issue | I have heard the stock market related news straight from the horse’s mouth; as Jason has earned huge profits this month. |
| Lose your marbles | Strange and insane behaviour | The manner in which Jack was ranting about his dad’s business, I presumed he had lost his marbles. |
| Has bigger fish to fry | When a person has more profitable and interesting thing to do | Jack is not going to get involved in petty politics of the organisation as he has bigger fish to fry. |
| Look before you leap | Its important to understand the risks before undertaking a big decision | Henry has been cautioned by his advocate to look before he leaps; in terms of selling his property today as the prices might rise in coming weeks. |
Proper utilization of phrases for IELTS speaking can actually uplift the band score to the utmost extent. As a result, some of them are described here.
| Phrases | Meanings | Examples |
| On thin ice | When someone undertakes huge risks | Dale is walking on thin ice as far as his university examinations are concerned. |
| Ignorance is bliss | When it’s good to not know some things | Margaret is not much interested in the upcoming elections as she thinks that ignorance is bliss. |
| Like a cakewalk | When something can be done easily | Participating in the F1 racing tournament was a cakewalk for Daisy. |
| The whole nine yards | When someone wants to know everything or needs to go the whole way | Jane and Peter are truly in love; they will go the whole nine yards together. |
| Bite off more than you can chew | When we talk highly tough tasks which we are unable to manage | Although Allen claimed that his department can double the sales by July, his teammates think that he has bitten off more than he can chew. |
Various idioms and phrases for IELTS speaking offer non-native scores an amazing chance to hold the attention of the examiner and bring more professionalism in their speaking module. As a result, many prominent phrases have been described in this blog which will benefit IELTS aspirants.
1. What is the duration of the IELTS speaking test?
The complete IELTS speaking test constitutes a duration of 11-14 minutes. As far as part 1 is concerned, it has a length of 4-5 minutes while part 2 is 3-4 minutes. The remaining 4-5 minutes are kept for part 3.
2. Is accent important in this exam?
Accent does not create a problem for the candidates and it’s not advisable to copy accents of native speakers. However, the mother tongue effect (MTI) shouldn’t be there and the speaking should be clear and fluent; so that the examiner can easily understand.
3. What is the prominence of idioms and phrases in IELTS speaking?
As mentioned above, correct use of phrases for IELTS speaking can do wonders to an aspirant’s overall band score. However, the usage should be natural and appropriate.
4. Is it important to speak in a sophisticated manner in IELTS speaking test?
IELTS speaking is an informal test and candidates can use general way of speaking which will be useful in day-to-day life settings.
5. From where can I pick up significant phrases for IELTS speaking?
As far as significant idioms and phrases for IELTS speaking are concerned, this blog will be a massive help for aspirants. Apart from that, newspapers, internet and magazines are another way to find out top notch phrases.
