25 Idioms to boost your IELTS Score to 7.5+ Bands

LIST OF IDIOMS TO BOOST YOUR IELTS SCORE : 1. A Penny for Your Thoughts  – ask someone who is being very quiet what they are thinking about ==> For several minutes they sat silently, then finally she looked at him and said, “A penny foryour thoughts, Walter.” 2. Against the clock – do something as fast as possible and try to finish it before a certain time. ==>With her term paper due on Monday, she was racing against the clock to finish it 3. Lend an ear – to listen carefully and in a friendly way to someone ==> If you have any problems, go to Claire. She’ll always lend a sympathetic ear. 4. on cloud nine – very happy; deliriously happy ==>She just bought her first new car and she’s on cloud nine. 5. bushed – tired. ==>I am totally bushed after staying up so late.  6. hard feelings  –  the emotion of being upset or offended. ==>I am sorry I have to fire you. No hard feelings, okay? 7.  hit the hay – go to bed ==> It’s after 12 o’clock. I think it’s time to hit the hay. 8.  be sick to death of something/doing something  – to be angry and bored becausesomething unpleasant has been happening for too long ==>I’m sick to death of doing nothing but work. Let’s go out tonight and have fun. 9. (come) rain or shine – means something will happen regardless of weather or other difficulties. ==>I will be on time for the class, rain or shine. Come rain or shine, she is always smiling.  10. be all ears – eager and ready to listen ==>I’m all ears, waiting to hear your latest excuse for not getting this job done! 11. in the nick of time – not too late, but very close ==>I got to the drugstore just in the nick of time. It’s a good thing, because I really need this medicine! 12. fresh/clean out of something –  have sold or used up the last of something ==>I have to go buy some more milk. It seems we’re fresh out now. 13. have/get mixed feelings about something – to be uncertain about something ==> I have mixed feelings about my trip to England. I love the people, but the climate upsets me. 14. Give it one’s best shot – do the best that one can ==>This test question is really tough! I’ll give it my best shot, and I’ll get some marks for doing my best. 15. In deep water – in difficulty; in trouble or in a dangerous situation ==>He has not submitted his dissertation so he’s in deep water. 16. next to nothing – to cost very little ==>I went to the new discount store and bought these new shoes for only five dollars. That’s next to nothing! 17. To be up in arms about something – upset or angry about something. ==> She has been UP IN ARMS about the rent increase. 18. Put yourself in somebody’s shoes – imagine that you are in somebody’s position in order to understant his/her feelings ==> If you put yourself in my shoes, you would understand why I made that decision 19. At all costs  – do everything you can to achieve/succeed something ==> My dream is to become a successful businessman and I will work hard for it AT ALL COSTS 20. Explore all avenues – investigate every possible means to find a solution to a givenproblem or to achieve a desired outcome. =  We need to EXPLORE ALL AVENUES  before doing something that is not very safe to a great number of people in order to minimize unfavourable consequences 21. On the ball – active and aware of things ==>Our staff is really on the ball to get projects done on time. 22. Throw in the towel – Give up on something ==>I’ve spent too much time on this project to throw in the towel now. 23. Down to earth – practical and realistic; Back to reality ==> It’s time we were brought down to earth to figure out difficult situation, and offer a good solution. 24. Full of beans  –  A person who is lively, active and healthy. ==> I really enjoy being with my best friend because he is always full of beans. 25. Get a head start – Start before all others. ==>This year we’ll get a head start on the competition by running more advertisements.