Idioms for IELTS Speaking can make the difference between a Band 7 and a Band 9. According to the IELTS Annual Review 2024 (British Council), nearly 3.9 million candidates took the IELTS test globally, and speaking remains one of the most challenging modules, especially for students aiming to study abroad. The most common reason for lower speaking scores is “limited lexical resource,” meaning a lack of natural, idiomatic language use.
However, most students either misuse idioms or overuse them, hurting their scores instead of improving them. That’s the problem.
The solution: Learn the best idioms for IELTS speaking, understand how to use them correctly, and practise applying them naturally in your answers.
This 2026 updated guide, prepared by LeapScholar’s IELTS experts, brings together the most common idioms, band-9 idiomatic expressions, latest idioms and phrases, and strategies on how to use them effectively during your IELTS Speaking test.
Why Idioms Matter in IELTS Speaking?
Idioms are a key part of your Lexical Resource score, which accounts for 25% of your IELTS Speaking band. Using idioms:
- Demonstrates a wide IELTS vocabulary range.
- Helps your speech sound fluent and natural.
- Makes responses more engaging and expressive.
For example:
Examiner: “Do you enjoy travelling?”
Student (basic): “Yes, I like travelling a lot.”
Student (advanced): “Yes, I love travelling! It really broadens my horizons.”
Both sentences mean the same, but the second sounds far more natural and advanced.
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How to Use Idioms Effectively in IELTS Speaking?
Before we explore the list of useful idioms for IELTS speaking, remember three golden rules:
- Be Natural, Not Forced: Only use idioms you understand well. Forced or misused idioms can reduce your IELTS score.
- Keep It Relevant: Choose idioms that fit your answer’s context. Don’t drop them randomly.
- Focus on Pronunciation: Pronouncing idioms clearly, examiner clarity is essential.
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Best Idioms for IELTS Speaking (2026 Updated List)
Below is a curated list of the most common idioms for IELTS speaking, grouped by topic. These are selected based on recent IELTS speaking trends and student success data from LeapScholar’s IELTS results database (2025).
1. Idioms for Daily Life & Personality
| Idiom | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| A piece of cake | Very easy | “The IELTS Listening test was a piece of cake for me.” |
| Break the ice | Start a conversation | “I try to break the ice by talking about hobbies.” |
| Hit the books | Study hard | “I have to hit the books if I want to get into a top university.” |
| Couch potato | Lazy person | “I used to be a couch potato before I started preparing for IELTS.” |
| In high spirits | Feeling happy and positive | “I was in high spirits after completing my IELTS exam.” |
These idioms are useful in Part 1 of the IELTS Speaking test when you answer personal or lifestyle questions.
2. Idioms for Work & Study
| Idiom | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Pull an all-nighter | Study or work all night | “I pulled an all-nighter before my final exam.” |
| Learn the ropes | Understand how something works | “It took me a few weeks to learn the ropes at my internship.” |
| On the same page | In agreement | “My classmates and I are on the same page about our project.” |
| Back to the drawing board | Start again after failure | “My first essay didn’t score well, so it’s back to the drawing board.” |
| A quick learner | Someone who learns fast | “I’m a quick learner, especially with new languages.” |
Use these idioms in Part 2 or Part 3 when discussing studies, work, or teamwork.
3. Idioms for Travel & Culture
| Idiom | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Travel light | To travel with little luggage | “I prefer to travel light when I go abroad.” |
| Once in a blue moon | Very rarely | “I travel abroad once in a blue moon.” |
| Hit the road | Start a journey | “We hit the road early to avoid traffic.” |
| A culture shock | Surprise when experiencing a new culture | “I experienced culture shock when I moved to the UK.” |
| Broaden one’s horizons | Expand knowledge or experience | “Travelling abroad has broadened my horizons.” |
These are useful idioms for IELTS speaking when discussing travel, international exposure, or studying overseas.
4. Idioms for Emotions & Opinions
| Meaning | ||
|---|---|---|
| Idiom | Example | |
| Over the moon | Extremely happy | “I was over the moon when I received my university offer.” |
| A blessing in disguise | Something good that seemed bad | “Failing once was a blessing in disguise; I learned a lot.” |
| Under the weather | Feeling unwell | “I was under the weather during my exam.” |
| On cloud nine | Very happy | “She was on cloud nine after getting band 9.” |
| Keep one’s cool | Stay calm | “Even during tough questions, I tried to keep my cool.” |
These idioms help show emotional control and expression perfect for Part 3 opinion questions.
5. Advanced Idioms for Band 9 Speaking
| Idiom | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Bite the bullet | Face something difficult bravely | “I decided to bite the bullet and apply to top universities.” |
| The ball is in your court | It’s your decision | “The university sent me an offer, so now the ball is in my court.” |
| A silver lining | A positive side in a bad situation | “The pandemic had a silver lining—it taught me resilience.” |
| Take it with a pinch of salt | Don’t take it too seriously | “I take online reviews with a pinch of salt.” |
| Put all your eggs in one basket | Rely on one plan | “I didn’t put all my eggs in one basket while applying abroad.” |
Using these IELTS speaking idioms for Band 9 demonstrates maturity, fluency, and cultural understanding highly valued by examiners.
Latest Idioms and Phrases (2026 Update)
IELTS examiners appreciate modern, natural English. The latest idioms (2026) trending in spoken English include:
| Idiom | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Go the extra mile | Put in more effort | “I always go the extra mile in my projects.” |
| Think outside the box | Be creative | “Students should think outside the box when solving problems.” |
| A game changer | Something revolutionary | “AI tools have been a game changer for language learning.” |
| It’s not rocket science | Not difficult | “Learning English grammar isn’t rocket science.” |
| Call it a day | Stop working | “After hours of practice, I called it a day.” |
These latest idioms and phrases make your speech sound modern and naturally fluent.
Common Mistakes to Avoid While Using Idioms
Even advanced learners sometimes misuse idioms. Here’s what to avoid:
- Overusing idioms: 1–2 idioms per answer are enough.
- Using them incorrectly: Don’t say “under the moon” instead of “over the moon.”
- Forcing idioms unnaturally: Only use ones that fit your topic.
- Do this instead: Learn the meaning + example + situation before using an idiom.
Proper usage matters more than the number of idioms you use.
How to Practise Idioms for IELTS Speaking?
- Create Topic Lists: Group idioms by IELTS topics education, technology, environment, etc.
- Record Yourself: Practise sample speaking questions and check if idioms sound natural.
- Use Flashcards or PDFs: Download or create an IELTS speaking idioms PDF for revision.
- Get Feedback: Use LeapScholar’s IELTS Speaking Mock Tests to get expert feedback on fluency and idiomatic range.
- Daily Practice Goal: Learn 3 idioms a day and use them in 2 sentences each.
Consistency helps idioms become part of your natural speaking style.
How Many Idioms Should You Use?
Quality over quantity. According to Cambridge English Research (2023), candidates who use 2–3 appropriate idioms per topic perform better than those who use 8–10 incorrectly. Use idioms that sound genuine and fit your personality.
Sample IELTS Speaking Answer with Idioms
Question: Describe a time when you achieved something difficult.
Answer:
“Well, last year, I was preparing for my IELTS exam while working part-time. Balancing both was tough, but I decided to bite the bullet and manage my time better. Eventually, my hard work paid off, and I was over the moon when I scored an overall Band 8. That experience really taught me that every cloud has a silver lining.”
Explanation: This answer naturally includes idioms like bite the bullet, over the moon, and silver lining all perfectly contextual.
Quick Revision: Idioms by IELTS Speaking Part
| Speaking Part | Suitable Idioms | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 (Personal Questions) | A piece of cake, in high spirits, hit the books | “Preparing for IELTS was a piece of cake once I got serious.” |
| Part 2 (Cue Card) | Over the moon, Blessing in disguise, Go the extra mile | “Getting a scholarship was a blessing in disguise.” |
| Part 3 (Discussion) | Think outside the box, Silver lining, The ball is in your court | “Students should think outside the box to solve global problems.” |
Understanding when to use idioms makes your answers structured and fluent.
Download Free IELTS Speaking Idioms PDF
Many students prefer revising offline. You can easily create or download an IELTS speaking idioms PDF from trusted learning platforms or from LeapScholar’s IELTS resources page. It’s handy for daily review and quick reference before your exam.
Conclusion
Idioms play a vital role in achieving fluency and flexibility in the IELTS Speaking test. But remember using them effectively requires understanding, context, and confidence. With the right guidance and regular practice, you can sound natural and impress your examiner.
If you’re planning to study abroad in 2026, start your IELTS preparation with LeapScholar’s expert mentors. Get personalised sessions, feedback on your speaking, and free access to idioms and vocabulary resources designed for Band 8 and 9 achievers.
Join LeapScholar today and make your dream university just an idiom away!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Is 6.75 means 7 in IELTS?
Yes, IELTS scores are rounded up to the nearest whole or half band. If your overall score is 6.75, it is rounded up to Band 7.0, provided the average of the four sections supports the rounding as per IELTS guidelines.
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Is 6.5 equal to B2?
Yes, an IELTS score of 6.5 corresponds approximately to the B2 level on the CEFR scale. This means you have an upper-intermediate level of English, capable of effective communication in academic and professional settings with some occasional errors.
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How can I get 7 in IELTS Speaking?
To achieve Band 7, focus on fluency, pronunciation, and accurate vocabulary. Avoid long pauses, maintain a natural pace, and use idiomatic language appropriately. Practice with sample questions and record your responses to identify weak areas and improve consistency.
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What are the 20 idioms and their meanings?
Some useful idioms for IELTS Speaking include:
A piece of cake – something very easy
Once in a blue moon – very rarely
Break the ice – start a conversation
Hit the books – study hard
Under the weather – feeling unwell
…and more such idioms can be learned to enhance fluency and expression during your speaking test. -
How can I get 8.5 in IELTS Speaking?
Scoring 8.5 in IELTS Speaking requires demonstrating fluency, accuracy, and natural language use. Practice daily with mock tests, improve pronunciation and coherence, and expand your vocabulary with idioms and phrasal verbs. Also, work on structuring your answers confidently and using a range of grammar structures effortlessly.
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How to idioms to use idioms in IELTS speaking?
To use idioms effectively in IELTS Speaking, focus on natural and relevant usage rather than memorizing them. Choose idioms that fit your context, tone, and topic of discussion. Overuse or incorrect use can sound forced, so aim for fluency and clarity first, then include idioms strategically to enhance expression.
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