1.

A Penny for Your Thoughts  – ask someone who is being very quiet about,

what is on their mind.
==> For several minutes they sat silently, then finally she looked at him and said, “A 
penny for your thoughts, Walter.”

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2. 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 finis
h it

3. 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.

4. on cloud nine – very happy; deliriously happy

==>She just bought her first new car and she’s on cloud nine.

5. bushed – tired.
==>I am totally bushed after staying up so late.  

6. hard feelings  –  the emotion of being upset or offended.

==>I am sorry I have to fire you. No hard feelings, okay? 

7.  hit the hay – go to bed

==> It’s  12 o’clock. I think it’s time to hit the hay.

8.  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.

9. (come) rain or shine – means something will happen regardless of any difficulties.
==>I will be on time for the class, rain or shine. Come rain or shine, she is
always smiling. 

10. be all ears – eager and ready to listen

==>I’m all ears, waiting to hear your latest excuse for not getting this job done!

11. 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!
12. fresh/cleanout 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.

13. 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 climat
e upsets me.

14. 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.

15. In deep water – in difficulty; in trouble or a dangerous situation

==>He has not submitted his dissertation so he’s in deep water.

16. 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!

17. To be up in arms about something – upset or angry about something.

==> She has been up in arms about the rent increase.

18. 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

19. 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

20. Explore all avenues – investigate every possible means to find a solution to

a given problem or to achieve the 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
21. On the ball – active and aware of things
==>Our staff is really on the ball to get projects done on time.

22. Throw in the towel – Give up on something

==>I’ve spent too much time on this project to throw in the towel now.

23. Down to earth – practical and realistic; Back to reality

==> It’s time we were brought down to earth to figure out a difficult situation,
and offer a good solution.

24. 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.

25. Get a head start – Start before all others.

==>This year we’ll get a head start on the competition by running more advertise
ments.

Every cloud has a silver lining

 
Meaning:          Try and be as optimistic as you can be, however difficult you are finding  the
situation at the moment, better times will come in the future.
Example:           Every cloud has a silver lining, you will find a new job very soon.
 
A hot potato
 
Meaning:          People talking about a current topic which cannot be agreed upon.
Example:          The subject of Brexit is a hot potato.
 
Give someone the benefit of the doubt
 
Meaning:          Believe what the person is or has said, until there is proof.
Example:          Give him the benefit of the doubt, he may not have been there.
 
Let sleeping dogs lie
 
Meaning:          Leave the situation as it is, do not get involved.
Example:          Let sleeping dogs lie, you were not there so you cannot comment.
 
Once in a blue moon
 
Meaning:          Something happens extremely rarely.
Example:           Once in a blue moon there will be an eclipse of the sun by the moon.
 
Steal someone’s thunder
 
Meaning:          Take the credit for a situation that someone else deserves
Example:          He stole his colleague’s thunder about doing an excellent job.
 
Best of both words
 
Meaning:          A person has all the advantages of a given situation.
Example:          They have the best of both words as they spend half the year in
England. And the rest of the year in Switzerland.
 
Do you know all these idioms in English? Try one of our trial lessons and see how we
can help you to
improve TOEFL and IELTS  speaking scores

 
 
Don’t count your chickens before the eggs have hatched
 
Meaning:          Do not plan something as the event may not occur.
Example:           Don’t count your chickens before the eggs have hatched as the deal may
not
                             happen.
 
It takes two to tango
 
Meaning:          Two or more people could be involved in a situation.
Example:           It takes two to tango, so there are more people involved in the problem
                             in the firm than you think. 
 
Your guess is as good as mine
 
Meaning:          A person does not know the answer
Example:          Your guess is as good as mine as to where they both went last night.
 
See eye to eye
 
Meaning:          To agree with someone else on a subject.
Example:           We see eye to eye on how to progress the matter further.
 
A picture paints a thousand words
 
Meaning:          To make a presentation to visually show what you want to do or achieve.
Example:          The picture painted a thousand words of how he thought the firm
should develop.
 
Catch someone off guard
 
Meaning:          To catch someone by surprise
Example:           He was caught off guard when they asked him to be the new chairman.
 
Hear it on the grapevine
 
Meaning:          To hear rumours about a person or an event which may or may not
have happened.
Example:           She heard it on the grapevine that he had been promoted.
 
Get down to business
 
Meaning:          To get the meeting started properly
Example:           As every member of the team is now here, we can get down to business
and start the meeting.
 
Back to square one
 
Meaning:          To go back to the beginning and start again.
Example:           The project was not good enough.  We need to go back to square one
and start again.
 
Fifty fifty
 
Meaning:          To divide something equally ie to divide in half
Example:           Divide the cakes fifty fifty
 
Go the extra mile
 
Meaning:          To do more than is expected of you
Example:           He went the extra mile to ensure everything was finished on time.
 
On the same page
 
Meaning:          Two people are in agreement about a situation.
Example:           We are on the same page as to how to take the situation forward now.
 
Don’t rock the boat
 
Meaning:          Do not cause a problem or make an issue
Example:           Don’t rock the boat about the costs of the project.
 
Don’t upset the apple cart
 
Meaning:          Rather like don’t rock the boat, do not make a fuss.
Example            Don’t upset the apple card by making a scene.
 
The sky’s the limit
 
Meaning:          A person can achieve anything they want.
Example:           The sky’s the limit, work hard and you will progress to the top of the firm.
 
The elephant in the room
 
Meaning:          This relates to an obvious issue that is not being talked about
Example:           Talk about the elephant in the room and deal with the major issue
that needs to be discussed now.
 
Take the bull by the horns
 
Meaning:          Similar to the elephant in the room.  Deal with the problem.
Example:           Take the bull by the horns, you must sort out the major problems.
 
In the black
 
Meaning:          The business is earning money and making a profit.
Example:           Finally, the business is in the black as we have had a good year and made
                             more profits than we thought we would make.
 
In the red
 
Meaning:          The business is not making any profit and so is losing money.
Example:           The business is in the red as they expanded too quickly and
their overheads are too high.
 
Read between the lines
 
Meaning:          To understand something that may not be entirely clear
Example:           Read between the lines, work out what is not being said at the meeting and
sort out the problem.
 
Uphill battle
 
Meaning:          There are many obstacles to sort out before we achieve what we want.
Example:           There is an uphill battle to win the contract.
 
No time to lose
 
Meaning:          Something must be finished very soon
Example:           He has no time to lose as his project is due in first thing tomorrow morning.
 
Word and mouth:
 
Meaning:          News which spreads very fast as people tell other people the same news.
Example:           The news spread by word and mouth that the new hotel was very
successful.
 
Throw in the towel
 
Meaning:          To give up, leave or quit
Example:           He threw in the towel and left his job as he was unhappy.
 
Absence makes the heart grow fonder
 
Meaning:          Being away for a while from someone or something makes you
miss/appreciate that person or situation.
Example:           Absence made his heart grow fonder and he realised he missed her
terribly.
 
A watch pot never boils
 
Meaning:          A situation or event can take far longer than expected.  Don’t keep
watching for developments.
Example:           A watch pot never boils when you are waiting for something to cook
more quickly.
 
Better late than never
 
Meaning:          It is better to finish something no matter how long it takes to do.
Example:           He finally finished the paper.  Better late than never as it was due last
month.
 
Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
 
Meaning:          Finish what needs to be finished today rather than tomorrow.
Example:           Don’t put off until tomorrow – finish the project today.
 
Good things come to those who wait
 
Meaning:          Be patient.  Good will come out of the situation.
Example:           Good things come to those who wait.  Your promotion will come soon.
 
Birds of a feather
 
Meaning:          People who are like minded often spend more time together.
Example:           Those two are birds of a feather.  No wonder they meet so often.
 
There is no time like the present
 
Meaning:          Do what you want to do now.  Do not put off until tomorrow.
Example:           There is no time like the present. You need to finish your project and you
have the time to finish it now. 
 
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it
 
Meaning:          If something is already or still working, leave it as it is as it is still working.
Example:           If it ain’t broke don’t fix it, the car still works so do not buy a new one.
 
There is no such thing as a free lunch
 
Meaning:          Everything has a hidden cost.
Example:           There is no such thing as a free lunch.  He wants you to invest in his
                             Company.
 
Practice makes perfect
 
Meaning:          Keep practising and you will become better at it.
Example:           You will become a great tennis player. Practice makes perfect. 
 
When in Rome, do as the Romans do
 
Meaning:          When you are doing something new, act like others do in that situation.
Example:           Try eating English food when in England.  When in Rome, do as the
Romans do.
 
Laughter is the spice of life, laugh on (also known as laughter is the best medicine)
 
Meaning:          Laughing can help us get through a difficult time in our lives.
Example:           Laughter is the spice of life, laugh on and we will help cheer you up.
 
Don’t judge a book by its cover
 
Meaning:          Do not be quick to judge a person or a book –  you might like the
person more than you think you will/you may enjoy the book more than you  expected.
Example:           Don’t judge a book by its cover.  The book is excellent and I recommend
that you try reading it again.
 
Honesty is the best policy
 
Meaning:          Telling the truth is always the better option.
Example:           Honesty is the best policy.  Tell your manager you made a mistake.
Examples

Over the moon– to be extremely pleased or happy.

I was over the moon when I passed my speaking test.

Once in a blue moon– happens very rarely.

A student will get a 9 in the IELTS writing test once in a blue

moon. 

A piece of cake– very easy.

Getting a band 6 in the speaking test will be a piece of cake.

A drop in the ocean– a very small part of something much bigger.

Just learning idioms is a drop in the ocean when it comes to

preparing for the speaking test.

Actions speak louder than words– it is better to actually do

something than just talk about it.

Lots of people have great business ideas but do nothing about

them. Actions speak louder than words, just do it.
Back to the drawing board– when you attempted to do something
but failed and have to try again.

I got 4.5 in reading! Oh well, back to the drawing board.

Put all your eggs in one basket- put all your money or effort into
one thing.

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. You should apply to lots of

different universities.

The in thing– something fashionable.

The new iPhone is really the in thing at the moment.

The real McCoy– genuine or not fake.

I don’t think her new handbag is the real McCoy.

Off the top of my head– saying something without thinking first.

Off the top of my head, I’d say about 2 or 3.

Run of the mill– average, ordinary

Apple phones are very run of the mill these days.

Soulmate– someone you trust very deeply.

My husband is not just my lover, he’s my soul mate.

Down in the dumps– sad.

I was really down in the dumps after my dog died.

Found my feet– to become comfortable doing something.

Moving to a new city was difficult as first, but I soon found my feet.

Set in their ways– not wanting to change.

My parents are quite traditional and set in their ways.

Go the extra mile– do much more than is required.

I decided to go the extra mile and move to England to really

perfect my English.

A hot potato– a controversial topic.

Abortion and capital punishment are hot potatoes in my country at

the moment.

Miss the boat– miss an opportunity.

I sent my application in late and I think I missed the boat. 

Costs an arm and a leg– really expensive.

Those shoes must have cost an arm and a leg.

Sit on the fence– to be undecided.

I haven’t made my mind up about that issue, I’ll have to sit on the
fence.
What are the common idioms that you can use in your IELTS Speaking?
 
Of course, you are expected to make use of idioms that are common but effective too. Pick only the
best.
 
Do not use idioms that may confuse. Even if they are trendy or sound fashionable.
 
For instance:
 
I couldn’t stop my friend. I had to bite my tongue. I didn’t say anything. 
 
“Bite my tongue” is an idiom here and it means that you have stopped yourself from saying
something. You wanted to say but you have intentionally stopped yourself from saying that thing.
 
Similarly, you should not say, “He put all the eggs into one basket.” (which would mean putting all
the resources into one possibility). It may look a little weird.
 
Common Idioms For IELTS speaking
 
1 Piece of cake - A task that is very easy for you. 
 
2 The last straw - The difficulty that ultimately makes the situation worse or unbearable. 
 
3 Go down in flames - To fail in a surprisingly manner.
 
4 Run like the wind - To run very fast.
 
5 Through thick and thin - Experiencing good and bad times.
 
6 Time is money - You say time is money when you want to describe the importance of working
more efficiently.
 
7 Cutting corners - Trying to save money or time, by not performing duty or the given task.
 
8 Devil’s advocate - Offering an alternative viewpoint, taking the side of the counter-argument.
 
9 Feeling under the weather - When you feel under the weather, you do not feel well. Or you feel
sick. 
 
10 Fit as a fiddle - If someone is fit as a fiddle, he/she is doing well or healthy.
 
11 Giving the benefit of the doubt - To believe a story that may not be true, to believe a story even if
there is no enough proof to support it. 
 
12 A blessing in disguise - Something that is good for you. You thought it was bad but it has
benefited you a lot, made you happy.
 
13 Beat around the bush - Try to avoid sharing true feelings, taking more time to say something,
saying something that is not what you want to say, avoid sharing feelings because it is
uncomfortable.
 
14 Don’t judge a book by its cover - It is not good to judge just by considering the initial appearance.
 
15 Let someone off the hook - To let go someone, to not punish or hold someone responsible for
something. 
 
16 No pain, no gain - If you work hard, you will succeed. If you do not work hard you will not get
good results.
 
17 Once in a blue moon - Something that rarely happens. 
 
18 Clouds on the horizon - You say clouds on the horizon when you want to say that the trouble is
coming on the way.
 
19 Giving cold shoulder - To ignore someone.
 
20 A wild goose chase - Doing something that may seem impossible, meaningless or pointless.
 
21 Hitting the nail on the head - To do something as exactly as you want or told.
 
22 Going extra mile - Doing something that is more than required.
 
23 You are what you eat - You say you are what you eat to show the importance of food. If you eat
good food, you will be healthy. But if you eat bad food you will fall ill.
 
24 To be buzzing - To be excited or happy about something.
 
25 To be down in the dumps - To be sad.
 

1. Over the moon– To be extremely pleased or happy.

I was over the moon when I passed my test.

1. Once in a blue moon– happens very rarely.

A tourist will see Rafflesia in full bloom once in a blue moon. 

1. A piece of cake– Very easy.

Getting a visa will be a piece of cake for you.

1. A drop in the ocean– A very small part of something much

bigger.

Just learning quotations is a drop in the ocean when it comes to

preparing for the exam.

1. Actions speak louder than words– it is better to actually do

something than just talk about it.

Lots of people have great business ideas but do nothing about them.
Actions speak louder than words, just do it.

1. Back to the drawing board– when you attempted to do

something but failed and have to try again.

I got a 40% in the test! Oh well, back to the drawing board.

1. Put all your eggs in one basket– put all your money or effort
into one thing.

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. You should apply to lots of
different universities.
 1. The in thing– Something fashionable.

The new iPhone is really the in thing at the moment.

1. The real McCoy– Genuine or not fake.

I don’t think her new handbag is the real McCoy.

1. Off the top of my head– Saying something without thinking

first.

Off the top of my head, I’d say about 2 or 3 were left.

1. Run of the mill– average, ordinary

Apple phones are very run of the mill these days.

1. Soul mate– Someone you trust very deeply.

My husband is not just my lover, he’s my soul mate.

1. Down in the dumps– Sad.

I was really down in the dumps after my dog died.

1. Found my feet– to become comfortable doing something.

Moving to a new city was difficult as first, but I soon found my feet.

1. Set in their ways– not wanting to change.

My parents are quite traditional and set in their ways.

1. Go the extra mile– do much more than is required.

I decided to go the extra mile and move to England to really perfect

my English.

1. A hot potato– A controversial topic.

Abortion and capital punishment are hot potatoes in my country at
the moment.

1. Miss the boat– Miss an opportunity.

I sent my application in late and I think I missed the boat. 

1. Costs an arm and a leg– Really expensive.

Those shoes must have cost an arm and a leg.

1. Sit on the fence– to be undecided.

I haven’t made my mind up about that issue, I’ll have to sit on the
fence.

1. Throw in the towel– To give up, leave or quit

He threw in the towel and left his job as he was unhappy.

1. Absence makes the heart grow fonder– Being away for a

while from someone or something makes you miss/appreciate
that person or situation.

Absence made his heart grow fonder and he realised he missed her
terribly.

1. A watch pot never boils– A situation or event can take far

longer than expected.  Don’t keep watching for developments.

A watch pot never boils when you are waiting for something to cook
more quickly.

1. Better late than never– It is better to finish something no

matter how long it takes to do.

He finally finished the paper.  Better late than never as it was due
last month.
 1. Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today–
Finish what needs to be finished today rather than tomorrow.

Don’t put off until tomorrow – finish the project today.

1. Good things come to those who wait– Be patient.  Good

will come out of the situation.

Good things come to those who wait.  Your promotion will come
soon.

1. Birds of a feather– People who are like minded often spend

more time together.

Those two are birds of a feather.  No wonder they meet so often.

1. There is no time like the present– Do what you want to do

now.  Do not put off until tomorrow.

There is no time like the present. You need to finish your project and
you have the time to finish it now. 

1. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it– If something is already or still

working, leave it as it is as it is still working.

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it, the car still works so do not buy a new
one.

1. There is no such thing as a free lunch– Everything has a

hidden cost.

There is no such thing as a free lunch.  He wants you to invest in his

company.         

1. Practice makes perfect– Keep practising and you will become

better at it.

You will become a great tennis player. Practice makes perfect. 

 1. When in Rome, do as the Romans do– When you are doing
something new, act like others do in that situation.

Try eating English food when in England.  When in Rome, do as the

Romans do.

1. Don’t upset the apple cart– do not make a fuss.

Don’t upset the apple card by making a scene.

1. The sky’s the limit– A person can achieve anything they want.

The sky’s the limit, work hard and you will progress to the top of the
firm.

1. The elephant in the room– This relates to an obvious issue

that is not being talked about

Talk about the elephant in the room and deal with the major issue
that needs to be discussed now.

1. Take the bull by the horns– Deal with the problem.

Take the bull by the horns, you must sort out the major problems.

1. Read between the lines– To understand something that may

not be entirely clear

Read between the lines, work out what is not being said at the
meeting and sort out the problem.

1. Uphill battle– There are many obstacles to sort out before we

achieve what we want.

There is an uphill battle to win the contract.

1. No time to lose– Something must be finished very soon

He has no time to lose as his project is due in first thing tomorrow

morning.
 1. On the same page- Two people are in agreement about a
situation.

We are on the same page as to how to take the situation forward

now.

41. Word and mouth– News which spreads very fast as people tell
other people the same news.

The news spread by word and mouth that the new hotel was very
successful

1.Fresh as a daisy

Someone who is lively and attractive, in a clean, fresh way.

My sister has been travelling for almost 24 hours, and she’s still as fresh as a daisy.  

2.Couch potato

Spending too much time on the internet or watching TV.

My uncle is such a couch potato! He often spends his Saturdays watching American
football on TV.  

3.Full of beans   

A person who is lively, active and healthy.

My 6 year old nephew is full of beans! He has more energy than three adults.

4.A bad egg

Someone who is untrustworthy.

Hey, Sue, I think your neighbour is a bad egg. He has these scary looking guys in
black leather hanging around his place all the time.
5.Down to earth

Someone who is practical and realistic.

My aunt Karen is so down to earth. She can figure out any difficult situation, and offer
a good solution.

6.Party pooper

A person who is gloomy, and having no fun at a social gathering.

Listen, my friend, I’m so sorry to be a party pooper, but I have to study for my IELTS
speaking exam tomorrow.

7.Eager beaver

A person who is hardworking and enthusiastic.

My colleague drives me crazy! She is such an eager beaver that she always

volunteers for overtime.

8.Ball in your court

It’s your decision or responsibility to do something now.

Well, my friend, the ball’s in your court. I’ll wait for your decision.

9.Throw in the towel

Give up.

I’ve spent too much time on this project to throw in the towel now.

10.Get a head start

Start before all others.

Let’s get up early tomorrow to get a head start on our drive to Toronto.
11.Get a second wind

Have a burst of energy after tiring.

After having a coffee and a sandwich, he got his second wind, and finished painting
the kitchen.

12.Jump the gun

Start too early.

I think I jumped the gun by buying my friends James and Susan a wedding gift. They
just called off their engagement.

13.Give it my best shot

Try your hardest.

This test question is really tough! I’ll give it my best shot, and I’ll get some marks for
doing my best.

14.On the ball

Ready and able.

Our department receptionist is really on the ball when it comes to fielding calls from
annoyed students.