If you’re preparing for the IELTS Speaking test, you’ve probably heard advice like “Use idioms to sound natural.” But what does that actually mean in the context of idioms for IELTS? Do examiners really give you a higher band if you throw in common phrases like “piece of cake” or “once in a blue moon”?
The truth: idioms for IELTS can help you sound fluent, expressive, and confident but only if you use them correctly. In this guide, we’ll walk through the most common idioms used by Band 9 candidates, show you how to weave these idioms for IELTS naturally into your answers, and highlight what to avoid so you don’t sound forced or awkward. To strengthen your overall grammar foundation, check out our guide on stative verbs in English.
Why Idioms Matter in IELTS Speaking
IELTS examiners don’t have a “checklist” of idioms they want you to use. Instead, they look at:
- Fluency & Coherence – Are your answers smooth, not robotic?
- Lexical Resource (Vocabulary) – Do you show a range of words and phrases?
- Grammatical Range – Can you structure sentences well?
- Pronunciation – Do you sound clear and natural?
Idioms help mainly with vocabulary and fluency. A few well-placed idioms can make you sound more like a natural speaker, but overusing them can backfire.
Idioms Grouped by Theme (with Examples)
Here’s a neat way to learn idioms: group them by topics examiners often ask about study, work, hobbies, money, health, and feelings.
1. Idioms for Study & Work
- Hit the books to study hard
- “When exams are near, I usually hit the books every night.”
2. Burn the midnight oil to study/work late into the night
- “During university, I had to burn the midnight oil to finish my thesis.”
3. Call it a day stop working for now
- “After preparing for three hours, I decided to call it a day.”
2. Idioms for Daily Life & Social Situations
- Break the ice start a friendly conversation
- “At job interviews, I usually tell a small joke to break the ice.”
2. A piece of cake very easy
- “Driving is a piece of cake for me now.”
3. The ball is in your court it’s your decision/responsibility
- “I’ve explained everything; now the ball is in your court.”
3. Idioms About Health & Feelings
- Under the weather not feeling well
- “I felt under the weather last week, so I stayed home.”
2. On cloud nine extremely happy
- “When I passed my IELTS with Band 8, I was on cloud nine.”
3. In hot water in trouble
- “I was in hot water when I forgot my assignment deadline.”
4. Idioms About Rarity, Cost & Time
- Once in a blue moon rarely
- “I only eat fast food once in a blue moon.”
2. Costs an arm and a leg very expensive
- “Studying abroad costs an arm and a leg.”
3. At the drop of a hat immediately
- “My best friend is ready to help me at the drop of a hat.”
Correct vs Incorrect Idiom Usage
One common mistake is forcing idioms unnaturally.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| Examiner: Do you like sports? → “Sports are a piece of cake.” | Examiner: Do you like sports? → “I’m not great at sports, but swimming feels like a piece of cake to me now.” |
| Examiner: What do you do when tired? → “I burn the midnight oil.” | Examiner: What do you do when tired? → “If I need to meet a deadline, I sometimes burn the midnight oil, but normally I sleep early.” |
Bonus Tips to Impress Examiners
Here are strategies your competitor didn’t cover:
1. Idioms to Avoid (Outdated/Overused)
Some idioms sound unnatural or cliché if forced:
- “Raining cats and dogs”
- “Cool as a cucumber”
- “Kick the bucket”
2. Band 6 vs Band 9 Answers (With Idioms)
- Band 6 Answer
“I like reading books. I think it is good for knowledge.”
- Band 9 Answer
“Reading books is a piece of cake for me now because I’ve developed the habit since childhood. Whenever I’m stressed, I hit the books to relax.”
3. Examiner’s Perspective
Examiners listen for:
- Natural tone
- Idioms used sparingly
- Idioms relevant to the question
4. Interactive Practice: Spot the Mistake
Try this mini-quiz: Which sentence is correct?
- “The exam was in hot water for me.”
- “I was in hot water because I forgot my ID card before the exam.”
Answer: Sentence 2 is correct.
Quick Reference: Idiom Cheat Sheet
| Theme | Idiom | Meaning | Example |
| Study/Work | Hit the books | Study hard | “I hit the books before my IELTS test.” |
| Study/Work | Burn the midnight oil | Study late | “I burned the midnight oil finishing my project.” |
| Life | Break the ice | Start conversation | “He told a joke to break the ice.” |
| Life | Piece of cake | Easy | “Cooking pasta is a piece of cake.” |
| Money | Costs an arm and a leg | Expensive | “The new iPhone costs an arm and a leg.” |
| Feelings | On cloud nine | Very happy | “She was on cloud nine after the results.” |
| Health | Under the weather | Sick | “I’m under the weather today.” |
| Trouble | In hot water | In trouble | “I was in hot water with my boss.” |
| Decision | Ball is in your court | Up to you | “I explained everything; now the ball is in your court.” |
Final Words:
Idioms are not a “magic trick” to Band 9, but the right idioms for IELTS can make your Speaking answers sound natural, confident, and fluent.
- Use 2–3 idioms for IELTS naturally, not forcefully.
- Pick idioms that match common IELTS topics like study, work, money, health, and feelings.
- Practice with exam-style questions so idioms flow naturally into your answers.
- Avoid outdated expressions that don’t sound modern to examiners.
If you follow these tips, you’ll not only impress the examiner but also stand out as a confident speaker.
FAQs About Using Idioms in IELTS Speaking
Q1: Do I need to use idioms to get Band 9?
No. Idioms are not required, but they help you sound natural and confident. Band 9 speakers often use them naturally.
Q2: How many idioms should I use?
2–3 idioms across the whole test are enough. Quality over quantity.
Q3: What happens if I use idioms incorrectly?
It can lower your score because it shows poor vocabulary control. Always use idioms you’re comfortable with.
Q4: Can I use slang or modern idioms?
Avoid slang like “YOLO” or “lit.” Stick to standard idioms like “piece of cake” or “once in a blue moon.”
