150 Idioms for IELTS Speaking
1. Appearance:
To be dressed to the nines: To be dressed very elegantly or formally. Example: "She was dressed to the nines for the awards ceremony, wearing a stunning evening gown."
To have a face like thunder: To have an angry or upset facial expression. Example: "When he saw the mess in the room, he had a face like thunder."
To put one's best foot forward: To make a good impression by presenting oneself in the best possible way. Example: "During the job interview, she put her best foot forward, showcasing her skills and experience."
To be as pretty as a picture: To be very attractive and pleasant to look at. Example: "The newly decorated room was as pretty as a picture, with vibrant colors and tasteful decor."
To have eyes in the back of one's head: To be very observant and aware of one's surroundings. Example: "As a teacher, she seemed to have eyes in the back of her head, noticing every student's behavior."
2. Animals:
To be a lone wolf: To prefer being alone and not part of a group. Example: "He's not very social and often acts like a lone wolf at parties."
To have ants in one's pants: To be restless or unable to sit still. Example: "During the long flight, the children had ants in their pants and couldn't stay seated."
To take the bull by the horns: To face a difficult situation directly and with determination. Example: "She decided to take the bull by the horns and confront her fears head-on."
To have a memory like a goldfish: To have a very poor memory. Example: "I can't remember what happened yesterday; I have a memory like a goldfish."
To be a social butterfly: To be someone who enjoys socializing and being around people. Example: "At parties, she's a social butterfly, moving from one group to another, making new friends."
3. Art:
To be a work of art: To be exceptionally beautiful or skillfully crafted. Example: "Her handmade jewelry was a work of art, attracting many admirers."
To be on the same wavelength: To have a shared understanding or similar way of thinking. Example: "The artist and the curator were on the same wavelength, collaborating seamlessly on the exhibition."
To draw a blank: To be unable to remember or think of something. Example: "When asked about his favorite painting, he drew a blank and couldn't recall the artist's name."
To paint the town red: To celebrate and have a lively time with friends. Example: "After their successful art exhibition, they decided to paint the town red to celebrate."
To be a blank canvas: To be an opportunity for creativity and expression, with nothing decided or defined. Example: "Moving into a new studio, she saw it as a blank canvas to create her masterpieces."
4. Books & Reading:
To be a bookworm: To be someone who loves reading and spends a lot of time with books. Example: "Ever since she was a child, she has been a bookworm, often getting lost in fascinating stories."
To get lost in a good book: To be fully absorbed and engrossed in reading a captivating book. Example: "When she reads mystery novels, she gets lost in a good book and forgets about everything else."
To hit the books: To study intensively, especially for exams. Example: "With the final exams approaching, she had to hit the books to prepare."
To be a page-turner: To be a book that is so engaging that the reader is eager to continue reading. Example: "The suspense thriller was a page-turner, keeping me up all night to finish it."
To be an open book: To be very transparent and willing to share personal information. Example: "She's an open book on social media, always posting updates about her life."
5. Celebrations & Festivals:
To have a blast: To have a great time and enjoy oneself immensely. Example: "At the New Year's party, they had a blast dancing and celebrating."
To paint the town red: To celebrate and enjoy oneself in a lively and extravagant manner. Example: "After the successful exhibition, the artists decided to paint the town red and celebrate all night."
To be a party animal: To be someone who loves attending and thoroughly enjoys parties. Example: "She's a party animal, always eager to dance and socialize at gatherings."
To let one's hair down: To relax and behave informally, especially at a party or social event. Example: "At the wedding reception, everyone let their hair down and danced with joy."
To light up the sky: To have a spectacular fireworks display during celebrations. Example: "On Independence Day, the fireworks light up the sky, creating a stunning visual spectacle."
6. Clothes & Fashion:
To be a fashionista: To be someone who follows and sets the latest trends in fashion. Example: "She's a fashionista and always knows what's in style."
To be dressed to kill: To be dressed in a very striking or eye-catching way. Example: "She wore a stunning evening gown and was dressed to kill at the gala event."
To be a perfect fit: To suit someone perfectly, especially in terms of clothing. Example: "The tailor made sure the suit was a perfect fit for the groom."
To be in one's element: To be in a situation where one feels comfortable and confident. Example: "As a fashion designer, she was in her element during the fashion show."
To be old-fashioned: To have a style or appearance that is not modern or up-to-date. Example: "Her grandmother's dresses were beautiful but a bit old-fashioned for today's trends."
7. Colours:
To be in the red: To have a negative balance in a bank account or be financially unprofitable. Example: "After overspending during the vacation, their bank account was in the red."
To be green with envy: To feel jealous of someone else's success or possessions. Example: "When she saw her friend's new car, she was green with envy."
To feel blue: To feel sad or melancholic. Example: "After the breakup, he felt blue for several weeks."
To paint the town red: To celebrate and have a lively time with friends. Example: "After the successful exhibition, the artists decided to paint the town red and celebrate all night."
To be a black sheep: To be the one person in a group who is different from the others and often causes trouble. Example: "Her brother is the black sheep of the family, always getting into trouble."
8. Dancing:
To dance to the beat of one's own drum: To do things in one's own unique way, not following the crowd. Example: "She doesn't care about others' opinions and prefers to dance to the beat of her own drum."
To have two left feet: To be clumsy or uncoordinated, especially on the dance floor. Example: "I don't enjoy dancing because I have two left feet and always step on others' toes."
To sweep someone off their feet: To impress or charm someone deeply. Example: "He swept her off her feet with his romantic gestures and thoughtful surprises."
To be the life of the party: To be the most lively and entertaining person at a social gathering. Example: "With his funny jokes and energetic dance moves, he was the life of the party."
To lead someone up the garden path: To deceive or mislead someone. Example: "He led her up the garden path with false promises, and she ended up heartbroken."
9. Family & Friends:
To be a chip off the old block: To be very similar to one's parents in looks or behavior. Example: "Her son is a chip off the old block, inheriting his father's sense of humor."
To be as thick as thieves: To be very close friends who share secrets and trust each other completely. Example: "They have been best friends since childhood and are as thick as thieves."
To be the apple of someone's eye: To be someone's favorite or most loved person. Example: "Her granddaughter is the apple of her eye; she adores her immensely."
To be like peas in a pod: To be very similar or identical. Example: "The twins are like peas in a pod; it's difficult to tell them apart."
To be family ties: To have close family connections and maintain a strong bond. Example: "Family ties are essential to her, and she visits her relatives often."
10. Food & Cooking:
To have a sweet tooth: To have a strong preference for sweet foods. Example: "She has a sweet tooth and can't resist desserts."
To be a piece of cake: To be very easy or simple. Example: "For someone with experience, fixing the computer issue was a piece of cake."
To bring home the bacon: To earn a living or provide financial support for one's family. Example: "As the sole breadwinner, he works hard to bring home the bacon."
To be in a pickle: To be in a difficult or challenging situation. Example: "After missing the train, she was in a pickle and had to find an alternate route."
To be worth one's weight in gold: To be extremely valuable or precious. Example: "As a reliable employee, he was worth his weight in gold to the company."
11. Happiness & Laughing:
To be on cloud nine: To be extremely happy and delighted. Example: "When she received the job offer, she was on cloud nine."
To have a ball: To have a great time and enjoy oneself immensely. Example: "At the theme park, the kids had a ball riding all the exciting rides."
To be all smiles: To have a cheerful and happy expression. Example: "After winning the competition, she was all smiles and couldn't stop celebrating."
To be a barrel of laughs: To be a very fun and entertaining person. Example: "Spending time with her is always a barrel of laughs; she has a great sense of humor."
To laugh one's head off: To laugh loudly and uncontrollably. Example: "The comedy show was so funny that the audience laughed their heads off."
12. Health:
To be fit as a fiddle: To be in excellent physical condition. Example: "After regular exercise and a balanced diet, he's fit as a fiddle."
To be fighting fit: To be in robust health and ready for any challenge. Example: "The athlete's training regimen keeps him fighting fit for competitions."
To be as fit as a flea: To be very physically active and agile. Example: "Despite her age, she's as fit as a flea and can hike for miles."
To be a couch potato: To be someone who spends a lot of time sitting or lying down while watching television or using electronic devices. Example: "During the lockdown, he became a couch potato, binge-watching shows all day."
To be a pain in the neck: To be annoying or bothersome. Example: "His constant complaints about minor issues are a pain in the neck."
13. Home:
To feel at home: To feel comfortable and relaxed in a particular place or situation. Example: "After redecorating the living room, she finally felt at home in the new house."
To make oneself at home: To act as if one is in one's own home, making oneself comfortable in someone else's house. Example: "When visiting friends, they encouraged us to make ourselves at home."
To be home and dry: To be in a safe and successful position. Example: "After passing all the exams, she knew she was home and dry for the semester."
To be a homebody: To prefer staying at home rather than going out. Example: "He's a homebody and enjoys spending quiet evenings at home with a book."
To be a house of cards: To be unstable or likely to collapse. Example: "Their business plan was a house of cards, with many risky assumptions."
14. Hometown:
To know like the back of one's hand: To be very familiar with a place. Example: "Having grown up here, I know my hometown like the back of my hand."
To be a small world: To encounter someone unexpectedly who has a connection to one's hometown. Example: "While traveling abroad, he met a person who grew up in his small hometown."
To be a town mouse/country mouse: To be more comfortable in an urban or rural setting. Example: "Having lived in the bustling city, he felt like a town mouse when visiting his grandparents in the countryside."
To be born and bred: To be born and raised in a particular place. Example: "She's a true New Yorker, born and bred in the city."
To put a place on the map: To make a place well-known or famous. Example: "The film festival put our small town on the map, attracting visitors from all over."
15. Housework:
To be a neat freak: To be someone who is excessively concerned with cleanliness and organization. Example: "She's a neat freak and always keeps her house spotless."
To sweep under the rug: To hide or ignore a problem rather than dealing with it. Example: "Instead of addressing the issue, they swept it under the rug, causing more significant problems later."
To do the dishes: To wash and clean the dishes after a meal. Example: "After dinner, they took turns doing the dishes to help their mom."
To be in the doghouse: To be in trouble or disfavor with someone. Example: "After forgetting their anniversary, he's in the doghouse with his wife."
To keep one's house in order: To maintain a well-organized and tidy household. Example: "She always keeps her house in order, with everything in its place."
16. Internet:
To surf the net: To browse the internet, especially for information or entertainment. Example: "During her free time, she likes to surf the net and watch funny videos."
To be a social butterfly: To be someone who enjoys spending a lot of time on social media and connecting with others online. Example: "As a social butterfly, she posts regularly on various social media platforms."
To be a click away: To be easily accessible or available with just a click of a mouse. Example: "With online shopping, all the products are just a click away."
To get lost in cyberspace: To become disoriented or overwhelmed while browsing the internet. Example: "She got lost in cyberspace, spending hours online without realizing it."
To be an online junkie: To spend a lot of time online, often to the detriment of other activities. Example: "He's become an online junkie, neglecting his studies and hobbies."
17. Music:
To be music to one's ears: To be something pleasant or gratifying to hear. Example: "The positive feedback from the audience was music to his ears."
To be out of tune: To be off-key or not in harmony. Example: "During the performance, the singer was out of tune and hit the wrong notes."
To face the music: To accept the consequences of one's actions, especially after making a mistake. Example: "After the project's failure, she had to face the music and explain to her superiors."
To be in full swing: To be at the peak or most intense stage of an activity or event. Example: "During the festival, the celebrations are in full swing with music and dancing."
To strike a chord: To evoke a strong emotional response or connection with someone. Example: "The heartfelt lyrics of the song struck a chord with the audience."
18. Name:
To make a name for oneself: To become famous or well-known for one's achievements. Example: "Through hard work and dedication, she made a name for herself in the fashion industry."
To call someone names: To insult or mock someone using offensive language. Example: "Bullying is not acceptable, and calling someone names can have serious consequences."
To be named after someone: To be given a name that is the same as or similar to another person's name, often a family member. Example: "He was named after his grandfather, who was a respected figure in the community."
To clear one's name: To prove one's innocence or reputation after being accused of wrongdoing. Example: "With the evidence, he was able to clear his name and restore his reputation."
To be a household name: To be very well-known by people in many households or widely recognized. Example: "The actor became a household name after starring in a popular TV series."
19. Nature:
To be a breath of fresh air: To be refreshing and invigorating, providing a positive change. Example: "After a long day, spending time in the park was a breath of fresh air."
To be a tree hugger: To be an enthusiastic advocate for the environment and conservation. Example: "She's a tree hugger and actively participates in environmental campaigns."
To be a drop in the ocean: To have a very small impact in comparison to a much larger issue. Example: "Their efforts were appreciated, but they knew it was just a drop in the ocean compared to the scale of the problem."
To be in full bloom: To be in the period of maximum growth or flowering. Example: "During spring, the gardens are in full bloom with vibrant flowers."
To go green: To adopt environmentally friendly practices and reduce one's carbon footprint. Example: "They decided to go green and installed solar panels to power their home."
20. Noise:
To be music to one's ears: To be something pleasant or gratifying to hear. Example: "The positive feedback from the audience was music to his ears."
To break the silence: To make noise after a period of quiet or silence. Example: "The sudden crash broke the silence of the night."
To turn a deaf ear: To ignore or pretend not to hear something. Example: "When it comes to criticism, he tends to turn a deaf ear and doesn't listen."
To make a racket: To make loud and unpleasant noise. Example: "The kids were making a racket in the playground, playing loudly."
To have one's ears ringing: To experience a ringing or buzzing sound in one's ears, usually after exposure to loud noise. Example: "After the concert, he had his ears ringing from the loud music."
21. Planning & Organising:
To be on the ball: To be alert, proactive, and efficient. Example: "She's always on the ball, anticipating problems before they arise."
To get one's act together: To become organized and start doing things more efficiently. Example: "Before the exam, she realized she needed to get her act together and study more effectively."
To be a well-oiled machine: To be a group or system that operates smoothly and efficiently. Example: "The restaurant's kitchen is a well-oiled machine, ensuring quick service and delicious food."
To be in the driver's seat: To be in control of a situation. Example: "With a solid business plan, he was in the driver's seat and ready to launch his startup."
To dot the i's and cross the t's: To be thorough and meticulous in completing details or tasks. Example: "Before submitting the report, he double-checked to dot the i's and cross the t's."
22. Remembering:
To have a memory like a sieve: To have a poor memory and easily forget things. Example: "I can't remember where I put my keys; I have a memory like a sieve."
To have a photographic memory: To have an exceptional ability to remember things with great detail. Example: "She has a photographic memory, recalling information from textbooks with ease."
To be unforgettable: To be so remarkable or significant that it remains in one's memory for a long time. Example: "The trip was unforgettable, with breathtaking views and exciting adventures."
To jog one's memory: To do or say something to help someone remember something. Example: "Seeing the old photograph jogged her memory about the fun times they had together."
To be etched in one's memory: To be deeply ingrained and remembered for a long time. Example: "The tragic incident is etched in her memory, and she still remembers it vividly."
23. Security:
To be as safe as houses: To be extremely safe and secure. Example: "The neighborhood is known to be as safe as houses, with low crime rates."
To keep something under lock and key: To keep something securely locked away. Example: "Important documents are kept under lock and key in a secure cabinet."
To be a sitting duck: To be in a vulnerable and defenseless position. Example: "With no security measures in place, their house was a sitting duck for burglars."
To guard one's tongue: To be careful and cautious about what one says, especially to avoid revealing secrets. Example: "In sensitive situations, she guards her tongue to avoid causing any harm."
To be on the alert: To be watchful and ready to respond quickly to potential dangers. Example: "During the storm, the rescue team was on the alert to assist those in need."
24. Shops & Shopping:
To window-shop: To look at items in store windows without intending to buy anything. Example: "They enjoyed strolling through the mall, window-shopping and admiring the displays."
To shop till one drops: To shop for a long time, until one is very tired. Example: "During the holiday sales, she shopped till she dropped, taking advantage of the discounts."
To be a shopaholic: To be addicted to shopping and constantly buying things. Example: "She's a shopaholic and can't resist buying new clothes whenever she shops."
To be a bargain hunter: To actively seek out and find good deals and discounts while shopping. Example: "She's a bargain hunter, always finding the best prices for the items she wants."
To be in the market for something: To be actively looking to buy a specific item. Example: "They're in the market for a new car, researching different models."
25. Sky or Space:
To shoot for the stars: To set ambitious goals and aim for great achievements. Example: "In his career, he always shoots for the stars, striving for success in every project."
To have one's head in the clouds: To be daydreaming or not paying attention to what is happening around oneself. Example: "During the meeting, he had his head in the clouds, not listening to the discussion."
To reach for the sky: To aim for the highest level of success or excellence. Example: "With dedication and hard work, they reached for the sky and achieved their dreams."
To be over the moon: To be extremely happy and joyful. Example: "When she received the scholarship, she was over the moon with excitement."
To be a starry-eyed dreamer: To have unrealistic and idealistic dreams. Example: "As a starry-eyed dreamer, he dreamed of becoming a famous actor."
26. Sport & Exercise:
To be in the same league: To be at a similar level of skill or performance. Example: "Compared to professional athletes, amateur players are not in the same league."
To hit below the belt: To use unfair or unethical tactics during competition. Example: "In the match, he hit below the belt by insulting his opponent's family."
To be on the sidelines: To not actively participate in something and only observe from the outside. Example: "Due to an injury, she had to be on the sidelines during the championship game."
To be a good sport: To accept defeat or success with grace and fairness. Example: "Even though they lost, they were good sports and congratulated the winning team."
To be a team player: To collaborate well with others and prioritize the team's success over individual achievements. Example: "In group projects, it's essential to be a team player and work together effectively."
27. Study or Work:
To hit the books: To study intensively, especially for exams. Example: "With finals approaching, she had to hit the books and review all the materials."
To be a workaholic: To be excessively devoted to work and neglect other aspects of life. Example: "His dedication to work makes him a workaholic, often sacrificing personal time."
To be a high-flyer: To be a person who is successful and achieves a lot in their career. Example: "With her exceptional skills, she quickly became a high-flyer in the company."
To burn the midnight oil: To work or study late into the night. Example: "To complete the project on time, they had to burn the midnight oil."
To put one's nose to the grindstone: To work hard and diligently on a task. Example: "With deadlines approaching, they put their noses to the grindstone to finish the project."
28. Taking Photos:
To capture the moment: To take a photograph at a significant or memorable moment. Example: "At the family reunion, she captured the moment when everyone was laughing together."
To be camera-shy: To feel uncomfortable or nervous about having one's picture taken. Example: "She's a bit camera-shy and prefers to stay out of group photos."
To strike a pose: To position oneself in a particular way for a photograph. Example: "The model struck a pose, showing off the latest fashion collection."
To be picture-perfect: To be visually attractive and ideal for a photograph. Example: "The sunset over the beach was picture-perfect, attracting many photographers."
To be caught on camera: To be recorded by a camera, often unexpectedly. Example: "The hilarious moment of the child dancing was caught on camera."
29. Travel & Holidays:
To be a globetrotter: To be someone who travels frequently and extensively to different countries. Example: "As a globetrotter, she has visited over twenty countries."
To get itchy feet: To feel a strong desire to travel and explore new places. Example: "After staying in one place for too long, he gets itchy feet and starts planning his next adventure."
To get away from it all: To take a break from one's routine and relax in a different environment. Example: "During the vacation, they rented a cabin in the mountains to get away from it all."
To be on cloud nine: To be extremely happy and delighted. Example: "After winning the travel contest, she was on cloud nine, excited about her dream trip."
To be a tourist trap: To be a place that attracts many tourists but might not offer an authentic experience. Example: "The crowded amusement park is a tourist trap, with inflated prices and long lines."
30. Teachers, School & Subjects:
To be a bookworm: To be someone who loves reading and spends a lot of time with books. Example: "Since childhood, she has been a bookworm, always eager to explore new stories."
To be a teacher's pet: To be a student who is favored or given special treatment by a teacher. Example: "The teacher's pet always gets extra attention and praise from the instructor."
To pass with flying colors: To achieve excellent results in an exam or task. Example: "She studied diligently and passed the exam with flying colors."
To be a class act: To be exceptionally talented or admirable in a particular area. Example: "When it comes to math, he's a class act, solving complex problems effortlessly."
To be the teacher's right-hand man/woman: To be a reliable and trusted assistant to the teacher. Example: "She's the teacher's right-hand woman, helping with class preparations and activities."
31. Weekends & Free Time:
To kick back and relax: To take it easy and enjoy leisure time. Example: "After a hectic week at work, he likes to kick back and relax on the weekends."
To have time on one's hands: To have a lot of free time available. Example: "During the school break, she had time on her hands to pursue her hobbies."
To hit the town: To go out and enjoy the nightlife and entertainment of a city. Example: "On Friday nights, they often hit the town and visit clubs and restaurants."
To be a homebody: To prefer staying at home rather than going out. Example: "After a busy week, she's a homebody and enjoys quiet weekends at home."
To make the most of one's time: To use one's time effectively and productively. Example: "During the holidays, she made the most of her time by learning a new skill."
32. Work or Study (Main Topic):
To be on the same page: To have a shared understanding or agreement on a particular matter. Example: "In group projects, it's essential for team members to be on the same page to achieve their goals."
To go the extra mile: To make additional effort beyond what is expected. Example: "To impress her boss, she always goes the extra mile and takes on additional tasks."
To get down to business: To start focusing on the main task or subject. Example: "After the introductions, the meeting got down to business, discussing the project details."
To be a fast learner: To quickly grasp and understand new concepts. Example: "In the new job, he proved to be a fast learner, mastering the tasks in a short time."
To learn the ropes: To learn the basics or essentials of a new job or task. Example: "During the internship, she learned the ropes of the company's operations."
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