25 Useful Idioms to Help You Score Band 8.0+ for IELTS Speaking (Part 4/5)
A Penny for Your Thoughts – ask someone who is being very quiet what they are thinking about
For several minutes they sat silently, then finally she looked at him and said, ―A penny for your thoughts, Walter.‖
Against the clock – do something as fast as possible and try to finish it before a certain time.
With her term paper due on Monday, she was racing against the clock to finish it
Lend an ear – to listen carefully and in a friendly way to someone
If you have any problems, go to Claire. She‘ll always lend a sympathetic ear.
on cloud nine – very happy; deliriously happy
She just bought her first new car and she‘s on cloud nine.
bushed – tired.
I am totally bushed after staying up so late.
hard feelings – the emotion of being upset or offended.
I am sorry I have to fire you. No hard feelings, okay?
hit the hay – go to bed
It‘s after 12 o‘clock. I think it‘s time to hit the hay.
be sick to death of something/doing something – to be angry and bored because something unpleasant has been happening for too long
I‘m sick to death of doing nothing but work. Let‘s go out tonight and have fun.
(come) rain or shine – means something will happen regardless of weather or other difficulties.
I will be on time for the class, rain or shine. Come rain or shine, she is always smiling.
be all ears – eager and ready to listen
I‘m all ears, waiting to hear your latest excuse for not getting this job done!
in the nick of time – not too late, but very close
I got to the drugstore just in the nick of time. It‘s a good thing, because I really need this medicine!
fresh/clean out of something – have sold or used up the last of something
I have to go buy some more milk. It seems we‘re fresh out now.
have/get mixed feelings about something – to be uncertain about something
I have mixed feelings about my trip to England. I love the people, but the climate upsets me.
Give it one’s best shot – do the best that one can
This test question is really tough! I‘ll give it my best shot, and I‘ll get some marks for doing my best.
In deep water – in difficulty; in trouble or in a dangerous situation
He has not submitted his dissertation so he‘s in deep water.
next to nothing – to cost very little
I went to the new discount store and bought these new shoes for only five dollars. That‘s next to nothing!
To be up in arms about something – upset or angry about something.
She has been up in arms about the rent increase.
Put yourself in somebody’s shoes – imagine that you are in somebody‘s position in order to understand his/her feelings
If you put yourself in my shoes, you would understand why I made that decision
At all costs – do everything you can to achieve/succeed something
My dream is to become a successful businessman and I will work hard for it at all costs.
Explore all avenues – investigate every possible means to find a solution to a given problem or to achieve a desired outcome.
We need to explore all avenues before doing something that is not very safe to a great number of people in order to minimize unfavourable consequences
On the ball – active and aware of things
Our staff is really on the ball to get projects done on time.
Throw in the towel – Give up on something
I‘ve spent too much time on this project to throw in the towel now.
Down to earth – practical and realistic; Back to reality
It‘s time we were brought down to earth to figure out difficult situation, and offer a good solution.
Full of beans – A person who is lively, active and healthy.
I really enjoy being with my best friend because he is always full of beans.
Get a head start – Start before all others.
This year we‘ll get a head start on the competition by running more advertisements.
