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 (مکمل جائزہ)
I took a bird’s eye view of my new book.
2- A bolt from the blue (ناگہانی مصیبت)
The storm came like a bolt from the blue.
3- Above board (صاف اور شفاف)
His dealings are above board.
4- A close-fisted man (ایک کنجوس آدمی)
A close-fisted man never spends a penny.
5- A fair-weather friend (موقع پرست دوست)
A fair-weather friend leaves in difficulty.
6- All and sundry (ہر کوئی، چھوٹے بڑے سب)
All and sundry were present in the hall.
7- All in all (مجموعی طور پر)
All in all it has been a good year.
8- A narrow escape (بال بال بچنا)
He had a narrow escape in an accident.
9- Apple of one’s eye (آنکھ کا تارا)
My son is an apple of my eye.
10- At length (آخرکار)
The lioness met with her cubs at length.
11- At the eleventh hour (آخری لمحات میں)
Police came at the eleventh hour.
12- Bad blood (دشمنی)
Bad blood destroys families.
13- Bad debt (قرضہ جو ادا نہ ہو سکے)
Save your money from the eyes of bad debts.
14- Bag and baggage (اپنا تمام مال اسباب لے کر)
The king left the country bag and baggage.
15- Beat about the bush (گول مول بات کرنا)
Do not beat about the bush and come to point.
16- Bell the cat (مشکل یا خطرناک کام کرنے کی ہمت کرنا)
The question is who will bell the cat?
17- Bury the hatchet (دشمنی ترک کر دینا)
The two families buried the hatchet for good.
18- By dint of (کی بدولت)
He succeeded by dint of hard work.
19- Cats and dogs (موسلا دھار بارش)
It was raining by cats and dogs.
20- Heart and soul (پورے دل سے)
I love Pakistan by heart and soul.
21- Ins and outs ( تمام تفصیلات)
Give me all ins and outs of this matter.
22- Leave in lurch (مصیبت میں تنہا چھوڑنا)
A bad friend always leaves in lurch.
23- Lose heart (دل چھوٹا کرنا)
Do not lose heart at failure.
24- Make fun of (مذاق اڑانا)
Do not make fun of others.
25- Null and void (منسوخ)
These orders are null and void now.
26- Of one’s own accord (اپنی مرضی سے)
She married of her own accord.
27- Poison one’s ears (کسی کے خلاف زہر گھولنا)
Poisoning one’s ears is a bad habit.
28- Poke one’s nose (دخل دینا یا ٹانگ اڑانا)
Don’t poke your nose in every matter.
29- Sell like hot cakes (جلدی فروخت ہوجانا)
Sweets were selling like hot cakes in bazar.
30- Split hair (بہت چھوٹی چھوٹی باتوں پر جھگڑنا)
Women split hair more than men.
31- Stab one in the back (پیٹ میں چھُرا گھونپنا یا دغا دینا)
The queen stabbed the king in the back during war.
32- Through thick and thin (ہر حال میں ساتھ دینا)
My mother stood by me through thick and thin.
33- To and fro (ادھر سے اُدھر)
The fox went to and fro in search of water.
34- To be taken aback (حیران رہ جانا)
The shopkeeper was taken aback from his dealing.
35- Tooth and nail (پوری طاقت سے لڑنا)
Brave rat fought by tooth and nail against the lion.
36- Turn a deaf ear to (نظرانداز کرنا)
He turned a deaf ear to my advice.
37- Turn coat (دغاباز)
Don’t trust him because he is a turn coat.
38- Turn the tables (حالات کو پلٹ دینا)
The king turned the tables with his wit.
39- Up to the mark (معیار کے مطابق)
The kings wear rich clothes up to the mark.
40- With an iron hand (سختی سے)
We must crush every evil with an iron hand.
41- With open arms (خوشی سے خیرمقدم کرنا)
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!
2 comments