The Ultimate List of IELTS Idioms for Speaking and Writing

Mastering IELTS idioms is essential for achieving a Band 7+ in the Lexical Resource criterion. These carefully selected phrases will significantly enhance your performance in both Speaking Part 3 and Writing Task 2. By learning these idioms, you will speak and write with greater sophistication and confidence. You will impress examiners by using advanced vocabulary naturally and accurately.

• Bite the bullet

  To face a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage and stoicism.

  We have to bite the bullet and tell them the bad news.

• Break the ice

  To initiate social interaction or conversation, especially in a new or awkward situation.

  He told a funny joke to break the ice at the start of the team meeting.

• Come hell or high water

  Regardless of any obstacles or extreme difficulties, a promised action will be performed or a goal will be achieved.

  I will finish this project by Friday, come hell or high water, no matter how many late nights it takes.

• Cut corners

  To do something in the easiest, cheapest, or fastest way, often by omitting important steps or reducing quality.

  The builder was accused of cutting corners to save money on the construction project.

• Every cloud has a silver lining

  Even difficult or unpleasant situations have some positive aspect.

  Losing my job was tough, but every cloud has a silver lining, and I found a role I truly love.

• Hindsight is 20/20

  It is easy to understand and judge past events perfectly after they have happened, but difficult to predict or act correctly beforehand.

  I should have known that stock would crash, but hindsight is 20/20.

• Kill two birds with one stone

  To achieve two objectives or solve two problems with a single action or effort.

  By taking the express train, she could kill two birds with one stone: arrive at the meeting on time and finish her presentation during the commute.

• The best of both worlds

  To enjoy the benefits and advantages of two different, often opposing, situations simultaneously, without experiencing their drawbacks.

  Working from home allows me to have the flexibility of a freelance job and the security of a full-time position, giving me the best of both worlds.