50 Idioms for IELTS With Meanings & Sentences
Idioms for IELTS
1. Break the ice
Meaning: To start a conversation in a social setting.
In a Sentence: He told a joke to break the ice at the meeting. / I broke the ice by complimenting her outfit.
Other Ways to Say: Start talking, Initiate conversation
2. Piece of cake
Meaning: Something very easy to do.
In a Sentence: Solving that math problem was a piece of cake. / For Tom, cooking dinner is a piece of cake.
Other Ways to Say: Easy task, A breeze
3. A blessing in disguise
Meaning: Something good that seemed bad at first.
In a Sentence: Losing that job was a blessing in disguise. / Failing the exam turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
Other Ways to Say: Hidden benefit, Unexpected good outcome
4. Spill the beans
Meaning: To reveal a secret.
In a Sentence: Sarah spilled the beans about the surprise party. / Don’t spill the beans about our vacation plans!
Other Ways to Say: Tell the secret, Let the cat out of the bag
5. Hit the nail on the head
Meaning: To be exactly right about something.
In a Sentence: You hit the nail on the head with your analysis. / She hit the nail on the head with her answer.
Other Ways to Say: Spot on, Exactly right
6. Under the weather
Meaning: Feeling sick.
In a Sentence: I’m feeling a bit under the weather today. / She stayed home because she was under the weather.
Other Ways to Say: Not well, Ill
7. Burn the midnight oil
Meaning: Work late into the night.
In a Sentence: I burned the midnight oil to finish my assignment. / She often burns the midnight oil before exams.
Other Ways to Say: Work late, Stay up working
8. On cloud nine
Meaning: Extremely happy.
In a Sentence: He was on cloud nine after getting his IELTS result. / She’s on cloud nine since getting engaged.
Other Ways to Say: Over the moon, Thrilled
9. Cost an arm and a leg
Meaning: Very expensive.
In a Sentence: That trip to Europe cost an arm and a leg. / His new car cost him an arm and a leg.
Other Ways to Say: Very costly, Pricey
10. Bite off more than you can chew
Meaning: Take on more than you can handle.
In a Sentence: He bit off more than he could chew by taking three courses at once. / I think I’ve bitten off more than I can chew with this project.
Other Ways to Say: Overcommit, Take on too much
Idioms for Impossible Situations
11. The ball is in your court
Meaning: It’s your turn to make a decision.
In a Sentence: I’ve done my part, now the ball is in your court. / It’s your move now—the ball is in your court.
Other Ways to Say: Your decision, Up to you
12. Actions speak louder than words
Meaning: What you do is more important than what you say.
In a Sentence: He says he loves you, but actions speak louder than words. / Show it—actions speak louder than words.
Other Ways to Say: Deeds matter more, Show don’t tell
13. In hot water
Meaning: In trouble.
In a Sentence: He was in hot water for missing the deadline. / She got into hot water after lying.
Other Ways to Say: In trouble, In a mess
14. Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: Accidentally reveal a secret.
In a Sentence: I let the cat out of the bag about the gift. / He let the cat out of the bag too soon.
Other Ways to Say: Spill the beans, Reveal the surprise
15. Miss the boat
Meaning: Miss an opportunity.
In a Sentence: He missed the boat on the job offer. / Don’t miss the boat—apply now!
Other Ways to Say: Miss a chance, Too late
16. Pull someone’s leg
Meaning: To joke or tease.
In a Sentence: I’m just pulling your leg about the surprise. / Don’t take him seriously—he’s pulling your leg.
Other Ways to Say: Tease, Joke around
17. Hit the books
Meaning: To study hard.
In a Sentence: I need to hit the books before my IELTS test. / She hit the books all weekend.
Other Ways to Say: Study hard, Get serious
18. Take it with a grain of salt
Meaning: Don’t take it too seriously.
In a Sentence: Take his advice with a grain of salt. / She tends to exaggerate, so take it with a grain of salt.
Other Ways to Say: Be skeptical, Don’t believe fully
19. Break a leg
Meaning: Good luck.
In a Sentence: Break a leg on your IELTS speaking test! / He told me to break a leg before my interview.
Other Ways to Say: Good luck, Best wishes
20. A dime a dozen
Meaning: Very common.
In a Sentence: Cheap pens are a dime a dozen. / Mistakes in writing are a dime a dozen.
Other Ways to Say: Very common, Easily found
21. Get the ball rolling
Meaning: To start something, especially a project or discussion.
In a Sentence: Let’s get the ball rolling on our IELTS preparation early. / The teacher got the ball rolling by handing out practice tests.
Other Ways to Say: Start off, Kick things off, Begin the task
22. The best of both worlds
Meaning: Enjoying two different opportunities at once.
In a Sentence: Studying abroad gives you the best of both worlds—education and travel. / Online classes offer the best of both worlds: comfort and flexibility.
Other Ways to Say: Dual benefits, Have it both ways
23. In hot water
Meaning: In trouble.
In a Sentence: I was in hot water after forgetting the essay deadline. / He found himself in hot water for plagiarizing.
Other Ways to Say: In trouble, In a tight spot, In a mess
24. A blessing in disguise
Meaning: Something that seems bad at first but turns out good.
In a Sentence: Failing that test was a blessing in disguise—it made me study harder. / Missing the bus was a blessing in disguise; I avoided the storm.
Other Ways to Say: Hidden advantage, Unexpected good outcome
25. Costs an arm and a leg
Meaning: Very expensive.
In a Sentence: IELTS prep courses can cost an arm and a leg. / That dictionary cost me an arm and a leg!
Other Ways to Say: Too pricey, Break the bank
26. Hit the books
Meaning: To study very hard.
In a Sentence: I need to hit the books if I want to get Band 8. / He hit the books all weekend for the speaking test.
Other Ways to Say: Study hard, Cram, Prepare intensely
27. Over the moon
Meaning: Extremely happy.
In a Sentence: I was over the moon when I saw my IELTS results. / She felt over the moon after scoring Band 9.
Other Ways to Say: Very happy, Thrilled, Delighted
28. On cloud nine
Meaning: Very happy.
In a Sentence: He was on cloud nine after his speaking test went perfectly. / I felt on cloud nine when I got accepted into university.
Other Ways to Say: Joyful, Elated, Ecstatic
29. A fish out of water
Meaning: Feeling uncomfortable or out of place.
In a Sentence: During my first speaking test, I felt like a fish out of water. / She was like a fish out of water in the writing section.
Other Ways to Say: Out of place, Awkward, Unfamiliar
30. Keep an eye on
Meaning: Watch carefully.
In a Sentence: Keep an eye on your time during the reading section. / The teacher kept an eye on the students during the mock exam.
Other Ways to Say: Monitor, Watch, Observe
31. Bite the bullet
Meaning: To do something difficult or unpleasant.
In a Sentence: I had to bite the bullet and speak in front of the class. / She bit the bullet and rewrote her entire essay.
Other Ways to Say: Face the challenge, Get it over with
32. Break the ice
Meaning: To initiate conversation.
In a Sentence: I broke the ice with my examiner by smiling and saying hello. / A joke can help break the ice in the speaking test.
Other Ways to Say: Start a conversation, Ease tension
33. Back to the drawing board
Meaning: Start over again.
In a Sentence: My first essay wasn’t good, so it’s back to the drawing board. / We’re back to the drawing board with our speaking strategy.
Other Ways to Say: Start again, Rethink, Revise
34. In the same boat
Meaning: In the same situation.
In a Sentence: All IELTS students are in the same boat—nervous but hopeful. / We’re in the same boat when it comes to writing struggles.
Other Ways to Say: Same situation, Same struggle
35. Learn the ropes
Meaning: To learn how to do something.
In a Sentence: I’m still learning the ropes of IELTS writing. / Once I learned the ropes, reading became easier.
Other Ways to Say: Get the hang of it, Pick it up
36. Pull out all the stops
Meaning: Make every effort.
In a Sentence: I pulled out all the stops for my final IELTS attempt. / She pulled out all the stops and got a Band 9.
Other Ways to Say: Try everything, Go all in
37. Through thick and thin
Meaning: In good and bad times.
In a Sentence: My study group supported me through thick and thin. / She stayed motivated through thick and thin.
Other Ways to Say: No matter what, Always there
38. Take it with a grain of salt
Meaning: Don’t take it too seriously.
In a Sentence: Take online reviews with a grain of salt. / Feedback can be helpful, but take it with a grain of salt.
Other Ways to Say: Be skeptical, Don’t fully believe
39. Under the weather
Meaning: Feeling sick.
In a Sentence: I felt under the weather on the day of my speaking test. / She was under the weather but still took the exam.
Other Ways to Say: Not feeling well, Sick, Ill
40. Call it a day
Meaning: Stop working for the day.
In a Sentence: After three hours of study, I called it a day. / Let’s call it a day and relax.
Other Ways to Say: Stop for now, Finish up
41. Get cold feet
Meaning: Become nervous before doing something.
In a Sentence: I got cold feet before my speaking test started. / She got cold feet and almost canceled her exam.
Other Ways to Say: Panic, Lose nerve
42. Burn the midnight oil
Meaning: Study or work late at night.
In a Sentence: I burned the midnight oil preparing for IELTS writing. / He often burns the midnight oil before test day.
Other Ways to Say: Stay up late, Study late
43. Hit the nail on the head
Meaning: To be exactly right.
In a Sentence: Her answer hit the nail on the head during the speaking test. / That example hit the nail on the head.
Other Ways to Say: Be accurate, Exactly right
44. The ball is in your court
Meaning: It’s your turn to take action.
In a Sentence: You have the study plan—the ball is in your court. / I gave you feedback, now the ball’s in your court.
Other Ways to Say: It’s your move, Your decision
45. Jump the gun
Meaning: Do something too early.
In a Sentence: I jumped the gun by submitting my essay without proofreading. / Don’t jump the gun before hearing full instructions.
Other Ways to Say: Act too soon, Rush
46. Keep your fingers crossed
Meaning: Hope for the best.
In a Sentence: Keep your fingers crossed that I pass the IELTS this time! / I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a high score.
Other Ways to Say: Hope it works, Wishing luck
47. Let sleeping dogs lie
Meaning: Don’t bring up old issues.
In a Sentence: Let’s not talk about the past test—let sleeping dogs lie. / I didn’t mention his mistake to let sleeping dogs lie.
Other Ways to Say: Leave it alone, Don’t revisit
48. Miss the boat
Meaning: Miss an opportunity.
In a Sentence: I missed the boat by not registering early. / Don’t miss the boat—apply on time.
Other Ways to Say: Miss out, Lose chance
49. On the fence
Meaning: Undecided.
In a Sentence: I’m on the fence about retaking IELTS. / She’s on the fence about choosing between two prep courses.
Other Ways to Say: Undecided, Can’t choose
50. Practice makes perfect
Meaning: Repeated practice leads to improvement.
In a Sentence: Keep doing mock tests—practice makes perfect! / I read daily because practice makes perfect.
Other Ways to Say: Repetition leads to success, Keep practicing
