Mastering idioms and phrasal verbs can boost your fluency and help you score higher in both IELTS Speaking and Writing. Below is a curated list of 30+ commonly used idioms and phrasal verbs, complete with meanings, usage tips, and examples.
Why Use Idioms and Phrasal Verbs in IELTS?
- Sound natural: Using idioms appropriately makes your speech and writing sound native-like.
- Show vocabulary range: IELTS examiners reward candidates with varied and precise language.
- Express ideas clearly: Some idioms convey complex ideas in a concise way.
Top Idioms and Phrasal Verbs for IELTS
1. Break the ice
- Meaning: Start a conversation in a social situation.
- Example: “To break the ice, I asked my classmates about their favorite hobbies.”
2. Burn the midnight oil
- Meaning: Work late into the night.
- Example: “Students often burn the midnight oil before exams.”
3. Call it a day
- Meaning: Stop working for the day.
- Example: “After finishing the project, we decided to call it a day.”
4. Catch someone off guard
- Meaning: Surprise someone.
- Example: “The sudden question caught me off guard.”
5. Come up with
- Meaning: Think of an idea or plan.
- Example: “She came up with a brilliant solution to the problem.”
6. Cutting-edge
- Meaning: Highly advanced or innovative.
- Example: “The new smartphone features cutting-edge technology.”
7. Down to earth
- Meaning: Practical and realistic.
- Example: “The teacher is very down to earth, always giving clear advice.”
8. Drop someone a line
- Meaning: Write a short message or letter.
- Example: “I’ll drop you a line when I arrive.”
9. Face the music
- Meaning: Accept the consequences.
- Example: “He made a mistake and had to face the music.”
10. Get across
- Meaning: Communicate an idea successfully.
- Example: “It’s important to get your point across clearly in essays.”
11. Give someone a hand
- Meaning: Help someone.
- Example: “Can you give me a hand with this assignment?”
12. Go the extra mile
- Meaning: Put in extra effort.
- Example: “Successful students always go the extra mile.”
13. Hit the nail on the head
- Meaning: Describe exactly the cause of a problem.
- Example: “You hit the nail on the head when you said pollution is the main issue.”
14. In hot water
- Meaning: In trouble.
- Example: “He was in hot water after missing the deadline.”
15. Keep an eye on
- Meaning: Watch carefully.
- Example: “Keep an eye on your finances to avoid debt.”
16. Let the cat out of the bag
- Meaning: Reveal a secret by mistake.
- Example: “She let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.”
17. Look forward to
- Meaning: Be excited about a future event.
- Example: “I look forward to improving my IELTS score.”
18. Make ends meet
- Meaning: Manage financially.
- Example: “Many families struggle to make ends meet.”
19. Miss the boat
- Meaning: Miss an opportunity.
- Example: “He missed the boat by not applying for the scholarship.”
20. On the ball
- Meaning: Alert, quick to understand.
- Example: “She’s really on the ball in class discussions.”
21. Once in a blue moon
- Meaning: Very rarely.
- Example: “I travel abroad once in a blue moon.”
22. Pull someone’s leg
- Meaning: Joke or tease someone.
- Example: “Stop pulling my leg; I know you didn’t fail the test.”
23. Put off
- Meaning: Delay or postpone.
- Example: “Many students put off studying until the last minute.”
24. Run out of
- Meaning: Have no more of something.
- Example: “We ran out of time during the exam.”
25. See eye to eye
- Meaning: Agree with someone.
- Example: “We finally saw eye to eye on the project plan.”
26. Sit on the fence
- Meaning: Avoid making a decision.
- Example: “It’s better not to sit on the fence and choose a clear stance.”
27. Take something for granted
- Meaning: Not appreciate something.
- Example: “Many people take clean water for granted.”
28. Throw in the towel
- Meaning: Give up.
- Example: “Despite failing twice, she didn’t throw in the towel.”
29. Turn a blind eye
- Meaning: Ignore something intentionally.
- Example: “Some governments turn a blind eye to environmental pollution.”
30. Up in the air
- Meaning: Uncertain, undecided.
- Example: “Our travel plans are still up in the air.”
31. Work out
- Meaning: Succeed or be resolved.
- Example: “Everything will work out if you prepare well.”
Tips for Using Idioms and Phrasal Verbs in IELTS
- Use naturally: Avoid forcing idioms into sentences.
- Mix formal and informal carefully: Task 2 essays require formal language.
- Practice actively: Make your own sentences with each idiom.
