Phrases and idioms for Speaking Natural, everyday idioms that lift your Speaking band, and the ones to keep out of your essays.
Speaking, yes. Writing, no.
Idioms show a wide, natural vocabulary in Speaking. In Writing they usually sound too informal, so use precise academic words instead.
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Speaking: "Honestly, maths was never my cup of tea."
Essay: "Studying abroad is a piece of cake for rich students."
In the essay, say "relatively easy" or "far more accessible".
Idioms that sound natural, not memorised
Choose common idioms you would really use, and fit them to the question. A forced idiom in the wrong place sounds memorised, and examiners mark that down.
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I visit my grandparents once in a blue moon, maybe twice a year.
once in a blue moon = very rarely
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Before exams I really hit the books.
hit the books = study hard
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The new metro has been a game changer for commuters.
game changer = something that changes a situation completely
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I was over the moon when I got my results.
I was over the moon when my phone broke.
over the moon = extremely happy, so the context must be positive.
Useful phrases for fluency
Phrases that buy thinking time and organise your answer help Fluency and Coherence: "That's an interesting question", "I'd say that...", "It depends on...", "On the whole...", "What I mean is...".
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It depends on the person, but on the whole I'd say...
Ummm... ummm... yes.
IELTS tip
Two or three well-placed idioms across the whole Speaking test are enough. Pronounce them naturally and in the right context.
Practice quiz
Pass with 7 or more to tick this topic off.
