Dear Learners
Idioms can make or break your INTERMEDIATE/IELTS/TOEFL score! In case of INTERMEDIATE, examiners ask you to write such sentences as can make the meaning of the IDIOM else clear. The examiners of IELTS/TOEFL expect you to use them naturally in essays and speaking tests.
This post covers the 41 most frequently tested idioms—each with:
✔ Exam-style examples
✔ Tips to avoid common mistakes
{Bookmark this list and practice daily to sound like a native speaker!}
1- A bird’s eye view
I took a bird’s eye view of my new book.
2- A bolt from the blue
The storm came like a bolt from the blue.
3- Above board
His dealings are above board.
4- A close-fisted man
A close-fisted man never spends a penny.
5- A fair-weather friend
A fair-weather friend leaves in difficulty.
6- All and sundry
All and sundry were present in the hall.
7- All in all
He is all in all in his group.
8- A narrow escape
He had a narrow escape in an accident.
9- Apple of one’s eye
My son is an apple of my eye.
10- At length
The lioness met with her cubs at length.
11- At the eleventh hour
Police came at the eleventh hour.
12- Bad blood
Bad blood destroys families.
13- Bad debt
Save your money from the eyes of bad debts.
14- Bag and baggage
The king slipped with his bag and baggage.
15- Beat about the bush
Do not beat about the bush and come to point.
16- Bell the cat
The question is who will bell the cat?
17- Bury the hatchet
The two families buried the hatchet for good.
18- By dint of
He succeeded by dint of hard work.
19- Cats and dogs
It was raining by cats and dogs.
20- Heart and soul
I love Pakistan by heart and soul.
21- Ins and outs
Give me all ins and outs of this matter.
22- Leave in lurch
A bad friend always leaves in lurch.
23- Lose heart
He lost heart at failure.
24- Make fun of
Do not make fun of others.
25- Null and void
These orders are null and void now.
26- Of one’s own accord
She married of her own accord.
27- Poison one’s ears
Poisoning one’s ears is a bad habit.
28- Poke one’s nose
Don’t poke your nose in every matter.
29- Sell like hot cakes
Sweets were selling like hot cakes in bazar.
30- Split hair
Women split hair more than men.
31- Stab one in the back
The queen stabbed the king in the back during war.
32- Through thick and thin
My mother stood by me through thick and thin.
33- To and fro
The fox went to and fro in search of water.
34- To be taken aback
The shopkeeper was taken aback from his dealing.
35- Tooth and nail
Brave rat fought by tooth and nail against the lion.
36- Turn a deaf ear to
He turned a deaf ear to my advice.
37- Turn coat
Don’t trust him because he is a turn coat.
38- Turn the tables
The king turned the tables with his wit.
39- Up to the mark
The kings wear rich clothes up to the mark.
40- With an iron hand
We must crush every evil with an iron hand.
41- With open arms
They welcomed me with open arms.
📝 Pro Tip: Memorize 3 idioms daily
and use them in practice essays. Need more help? Check our IELTS Essay Writing Guide (Click the blue text).
Which idiom is your favorite? Comment ‘I got it!’ if you’ve mastered them all!
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