10 Idioms to Boost Your IELTS Speaking Score (with Examples & Practice Tips)

One piece of advice you’ve probably heard before is: Use idioms in your IELTS Speaking Exam. It’s true—idioms can help you score higher, but there’s more to it than simply memorizing a list.

Many learners struggle with how to use idioms naturally. While countless articles offer long lists of idioms, few explain how to practice or actually use them in real exam situations. This article will show you exactly how to learn, practice, and confidently use idioms in the IELTS Speaking test.

What You'll Learn in This Article:

• What idiomatic language is

• Why idioms matter in IELTS

• Which idioms are most useful

• How to practice idioms effectively

• Idioms grouped by IELTS Speaking topics

What Is Idiomatic Language?

Idiomatic language is a group of words used together that have a meaning different from the literal meaning of each word.

👉 For example:

“Hold your horses.”

This doesn’t mean you should grab horses—it means “be patient.”

Idioms exist in every language, and English is no exception. It helps to compare common idioms from your own language with their English equivalents. This way, you’ll feel more confident using them naturally.

Why Should You Use Idioms in IELTS?

Idioms are a natural part of everyday English. Native speakers use them without even realizing it. In IELTS, the examiner is looking for language that sounds fluent and natural.

According to the IELTS Speaking Band Descriptors, using idiomatic expressions can help you score a Band 7 or higher in Lexical Resource. Without them, your score may be limited to a Band 6.5 or below—even if everything else is great.

✅ Tip: Use idioms naturally and appropriately in context to impress the examiner. Forced or memorized usage can actually hurt your score.

What About Phrasal Verbs?

Phrasal verbs are just as important—sometimes even more so—than idioms. They’re common in spoken English and help you sound fluent.

Here are 20 must-know phrasal verbs to start with:

• Break up

• Bring up

• Take after

• Come across

• Find out

• Get along

• Look for

• Give up

• Look forward to

• Take up

• Try out

• Try on

• Put up with

• Work out

• Pick up

• Put off

• Get rid of

• Drop by

• Eat out

Want to learn what these mean and how to use them?

Leave a comment below!

Which Idioms Should You Learn?

Here’s the truth: There is no “perfect” list of idioms. The best idioms are those that:

• Fit multiple topics

• Feel natural in your speaking

• You actually understand and can use confidently

🛑 Avoid overly rare or difficult idioms. Instead, choose versatile idioms you can use across different IELTS topics.

How to Practice Idioms for IELTS

The key is to group idioms by topic.

Just like you learn vocabulary related to “travel” or “food,” group idioms the same way.

Here’s a list of topic-related idioms that are flexible and easy to remember.

10 Idioms to Use in IELTS Speaking (With Topics & Examples)

1. Next to Nothing – Very cheap

🗣 “The hotel we stayed in cost next to nothing.”

🧠 Use with: Travel, Shopping, Gifts, Hobbies

2. Over the Moon (with joy) – Extremely happy

🗣 “I was over the moon with joy when I passed my exam.”

🧠 Use with: Travel, Gifts, Events, Sports, Achievements

3. Get on My Nerves – Be annoying

🗣 “My little brother really gets on my nerves sometimes.”

🧠 Use with: Family, Friends, Public Transport, Hobbies

4. The Best of Both Worlds – Enjoying two different advantages

🗣 “My city has a lot of nature and fun nightlife, so it offers the best of both worlds.”

🧠 Use with: Hometowns, Jobs, Travel, Lifestyle

5. Be in Two Minds / Be on the Fence – Unable to decide

🗣 “I’m in two minds about studying abroad.”

🧠 Use with: Decisions, Future Plans, Education

6. Run of the Mill / Nothing to Write Home About – Ordinary

🗣 “The movie was just run of the mill.”

🧠 Use with: Places, Food, Experiences, Hobbies

7. Blow Me Away – Really impress

🗣 “The view from the mountain blew me away.”

🧠 Use with: Travel, Food, Gifts, Art, Experiences

8. Hands Down – Definitely; unquestionably

🗣 “That was hands down the best pizza I’ve ever eaten.”

🧠 Use with: Food, People, Experiences, Hobbies

9. Fight Tooth and Nail – Try very hard

🗣 “I fought tooth and nail to get that scholarship.”

🧠 Use with: Education, Career, Past Experiences

10. Down in the Dumps – Sad or depressed

🗣 “I was down in the dumps after failing my driving test.”

🧠 Use with: Emotions, Failures, Relationships

Final Thoughts: Focus on Quality, Not Quantity

Don’t try to memorize 100 idioms. Instead, master 10–15 idioms you feel confident using in real conversation. Practice using them in your own answers on IELTS topics.

✅ Practice by recording yourself

✅ Use idioms in mock speaking tests

✅ Group idioms by topic for easier recall

Ready to Boost Your IELTS Speaking Score?

Start practicing these idioms today, and use them in context. You’ll sound more fluent, more confident, and more natural—and that’s exactly what the examiner wants to hear.

🧠 Got questions? Need more examples?

💬 Drop a comment below and we’ll help you out!

With love, The Effective IELTS Team

✨ Helping you speak with confidence and clarity