15 advanced idioms for ielts speaking

Advanced
for
Idioms

IELTS SPEAKING
KEITH O'HARE

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About the Author
Keith runs The Keith Speaking Academy. He
has been working in international education
for over 20 years as a teacher, teacher trainer
and education manager.
He has helped over 40,000 students prepare
for their IELTS Speaking test with his online
courses.

COPYRIGHT © 2022, KEITH SPEAKING ACADEMY


Idioms, if used correctly, can give a big boost to your score in IELTS
Speaking.
In this PDF you have 15 less common idioms that can help you impress
the IELTS examiner!
Mistakes to avoid when using Idioms
Don’t use outdated ones (like raining cats and dogs)
Don’t use too many in the test
The Secret
Use just a few

Use less common ones
Use them well
Use this PDF to practice them, and practice with other students and
teachers too, so you can get feedback.

COPYRIGHT © 2022, KEITH SPEAKING ACADEMY


COPYRIGHT © 2022, KEITH SPEAKING ACADEMY


To be on the cards = something is very likely
To be up in the air = something is uncertain
To be in the bag = to be certain you will get or
achieve something

Be Careful!
I am on the cards
Something is on the cards
Will I travel abroad more in the future?
Yes, I think it’s on the cards,
mainly because I love discovering new cultures
and meeting new people
Clause 1 + Clause 2
Context + Idiom

With these idioms, I suggest you put the idiom in one clause, and the
context in a separate clause.

COPYRIGHT © 2022, KEITH SPEAKING ACADEMY

I have no idea who will win the next election, it’s up in the air.

Clause 1 - Context
I have no idea who will win
the next election,

Clause 2 - Idiom

it’s up in the air

I think Jack will be the next president, well, at least I think it’s on the
cards

Clause 1 - Context

Clause 2 - Idiom

I think Jack will be the next

well, at least I think it’s on

president

the cards

My interview went really well . I think my promotion is in the bag

Clause 1 - Context

Clause 2 - Idiom

My interview went

I think my promotion is

really well

in the bag

COPYRIGHT © 2022, KEITH SPEAKING ACADEMY


COPYRIGHT © 2022, KEITH SPEAKING ACADEMY


To be a big ask = to be difficult to do, and will need
some sacrifice

The government in my country wants to be carbon neutral by 2030;
I think that’s a big ask.
Be Careful!
Playing football is a big ask
Playing football is difficult
Winning the World Cup is a big ask

To be a walk in the park - to be easy
To be a breeze - a gust of wind

Giving a 5-minute presentation is a walk in the park.
Speaking English is a breeze for me
Giving a presentation in Chinese would be a big ask.

COPYRIGHT © 2022, KEITH SPEAKING ACADEMY


COPYRIGHT © 2022, KEITH SPEAKING ACADEMY


To be barking up the wrong tree = To have the wrong
idea / approach

Should the government ban mobile phones in schools?
Do you agree with this idea?
No, I reckon the government is barking up the wrong tree, this
approach is totally wrong

Be Careful!
You bark up the wrong tree.
You are barking up the wrong tree.

To hit the nail on the head = to be completely right
about something

Should the government ban mobile phones in schools?
Yes, I reckon the government has hit the nail on the head.
Banning mobile phones would help education no end

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No end = a lot

This will improve education no end
If you practice English everyday, that will help your English no end.

Tip for Using Idioms: Keep it simple
Use the idiom in a separate
clause / sentence.

Clause 1 - Context

Clause 2 - Idiom

With the issue of banning

I think the government has

mobile phones in schools,

hit the nail on the head

COPYRIGHT © 2022, KEITH SPEAKING ACADEMY


COPYRIGHT © 2022, KEITH SPEAKING ACADEMY


Not the be-all and end-all = something is important,

but not the only important thing.

Is money important to you?
Well it’s not the be-all and end-all, there are more important things in
life, like family and friends.
Do you think computers are important in schools?
Well, yes but, they are not the be-all and end-all, I mean the quality of
the teaching is probably just as important as the equipment in the
schools.

COPYRIGHT © 2022, KEITH SPEAKING ACADEMY


COPYRIGHT © 2022, KEITH SPEAKING ACADEMY


To be clued up on = to know a lot about something

To be clued up on
Do you know a lot about football?
Yeah, I am really clued up on football, I know lots about it
Do you know a lot about cooking?
Not much, but my brother is really clued up on cooking.
He is, like, the next MasterChef!

To be clueless about = to know nothing about
something

To be clueless about
To be honest, I am clueless about football.

I don’t even know who is winning the league at the moment.

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COPYRIGHT © 2022, KEITH SPEAKING ACADEMY


To give your all = to do your best
To not put a foot wrong = to not make any mistakes

I admire my mother because she always gives her all.
My brother was really careful at school, he never put a foot wrong.
He studied well, he aced all his exams, and he never got into trouble.

To be a hard act to follow = difficult for anyone else
to do as well as that person

The queen was a wonderful person, she is going to be a hard act to
follow!
Get more tips and useful language for your IELTS Speaking preparation
here:

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