IELTS Speaking Idioms: How to Use Them and Still Score High
Quick answer: Idioms help your IELTS Speaking score only when they are used naturally, in the right situation, and with the exact correct form. One or two well-placed idioms in the whole test are enough. Forcing memorized idioms into every answer usually sounds unnatural and can hurt your Lexical Resource score.↗ Share on X
Idioms can help your IELTS Speaking score, but only when they sound natural. The public band descriptors mention idiomatic language in the higher bands of Lexical Resource: at Band 7 the candidate uses "some" less common and idiomatic vocabulary, and at Band 8 uses it "skilfully", with only occasional mistakes. So the goal is not to use many idioms. The goal is to use a few, correctly, in the right moment. One natural idiom beats five memorized ones that don't fit.
Below you'll find how examiners actually look at idioms, a list of safe idioms grouped by common IELTS topics, the mistakes that cost points, and a simple practice routine.
What do examiners actually look for?
Pick the Right English Tense for Daily Life Easily →
IELTS Task 2: A 5-Minute Essay Plan With a Worked Example →
IELTS Task 2 Intro in 5 Steps: The 50-Word Band 8 Formula →The Speaking test is scored on four criteria, each worth the same:
| Criterion | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Fluency and Coherence | Speaking at length, without long pauses, with clear links between ideas |
| Lexical Resource | Range and accuracy of vocabulary, including idioms and collocations |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | Variety of sentence structures and how correct they are |
| Pronunciation | How easy you are to understand |
Idioms live inside Lexical Resource only. That means they are one piece of one quarter of your score. A candidate who speaks fluently with precise everyday words can score higher than one who drops idioms but hesitates and makes grammar errors.
Examiners check three things when you use an idiom:
1. Is it the right meaning? "It's a piece of cake" means easy. Using it to say something was delicious is an error.
2. Is the form exact? Idioms are fixed. "Once in a blue moon" works; "once in a blue sky" does not.
3. Does it fit the situation? An idiom about business in an answer about your childhood pet sounds forced.
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When does an idiom help, and when does it hurt?
An idiom helps when it is the most natural way to say what you mean. It hurts when you clearly memorized it and pushed it into the answer.
Compare these two answers to "Do you like cooking?"
Forced: "Yes, cooking is my cup of tea, and I always hit the nail on the head when I make pasta, so it's raining cats and dogs of flavor."
Natural: "Honestly, it's not really my cup of tea. I can make simple things like eggs or rice, but anything with more than five steps and I'm out of my depth."
The second answer uses two idioms, both correctly, both matching the meaning. It sounds like a real person. The first sounds like a list.
A simple test: if you would not say that sentence to a friend in English, don't say it to the examiner.
Which idioms work for common IELTS topics?
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IELTS Speaking: 5 Habits That Raise Your Band Score →These are everyday idioms that native speakers still use. Learn the meaning, the exact form and one example sentence for each. Don't learn all of them. Pick 2 or 3 per topic that feel comfortable.
Work and study
- Burn the midnight oil – work or study late at night. "Before my final exams I was burning the midnight oil every night."
- Learn the ropes – learn the basics of a new job. "The first month was mostly about learning the ropes."
- Out of my depth – in a situation too difficult for you. "In my first coding class I felt completely out of my depth."
Free time and hobbies
- Not my cup of tea – something you don't enjoy. "Horror films aren't really my cup of tea."
- Once in a blue moon – very rarely. "I only go to the cinema once in a blue moon now."
- Recharge my batteries – rest to get energy back. "Walking by the river helps me recharge my batteries."
People and relationships
- Get on like a house on fire – get along very well, very quickly. "My cousin and I got on like a house on fire from day one."
- See eye to eye – agree. "My brother and I don't always see eye to eye about politics."
- Down to earth – practical and humble. "My best friend is very down to earth."
Money and shopping
- Cost an arm and a leg – be very expensive. "Concert tickets cost an arm and a leg these days."
- Tighten my belt – spend less money. "After I moved out, I had to tighten my belt."
Change and the future
- A blessing in disguise – something bad that turned out good. "Losing that job was a blessing in disguise."
- On the fence – undecided. "I'm still on the fence about studying abroad."
Which mistakes cost points?
These are the errors that make an examiner notice idioms for the wrong reason:
1. Changing the fixed words. "It costs an arm and a foot" or "hit the nail in the head." If you're not sure of the exact form, use a plain word instead.
2. Old-fashioned or rare idioms. "It's raining cats and dogs" is in every textbook but sounds dated to many native speakers. "It's pouring" is more natural.
3. Wrong grammar around the idiom. "I was burn the midnight oil." The idiom is right; the verb is wrong. Examiners count that as a grammar error.
4. Stacking idioms. Three idioms in one sentence sounds rehearsed. Spread them out.
5. Using written or formal phrases. "In a nutshell" is fine. "It is of paramount importance to highlight" sounds like an essay read aloud.
How should idioms fit into each part of the test?
The test has three parts, and idioms fit differently in each.
Part 1 (short questions about you, 4–5 minutes). The best place for light, personal idioms: hobbies, home, routine. One idiom in the whole part is plenty.
Part 2 (the 1–2 minute talk from a cue card). You get one minute to prepare. Write down one idiom that matches the story, for example "a blessing in disguise" if the card asks about a difficult experience. Use it where the story naturally turns.
Part 3 (discussion of wider ideas, 4–5 minutes). Here, precise collocations often matter more than idioms. Phrases like "a double-edged sword" or "the tip of the iceberg" can fit when you discuss pros and cons or bigger problems, but only if they match your point.
How do you practise so idioms sound natural?
Memorizing a list the night before rarely works. This routine takes about 15 minutes a day:
1. Choose 3 idioms for the week. Pick ones you actually like.
2. Write 2 true sentences about your own life with each idiom. Personal examples are easier to remember under pressure.
3. Record yourself answering a Part 1 question for 30 seconds on your phone. Try to use one idiom only if it fits.
4. Listen back. Ask: did it sound like a real conversation, or like I was waiting to say the idiom?
5. Check the form in a good learner's dictionary. Most online dictionaries list idioms with example sentences.
6. Listen for them. Notice idioms in podcasts, series or interviews. Hearing an idiom used in real speech is the fastest way to learn when it fits.
At the end of the week, keep the idioms that came out naturally and drop the rest.
What matters more than idioms for Band 8?
If you are aiming for Band 8, look at the whole picture. These usually move the score more than idioms do:
- Collocations: words that naturally go together, like "make a decision" (not "do a decision") or "heavy traffic" (not "strong traffic").
- Paraphrasing: saying the examiner's question in your own words shows range.
- Precise everyday words: "exhausted" instead of "very tired," "crowded" instead of "has many people."
- Fluency: speaking at length without long pauses. Fillers like "well," "to be honest," and "let me think" are fine in small amounts.
- Self-correction: if you make a small mistake and fix it quickly, that shows control.
Your next step
Today, pick one IELTS topic you often get asked about, such as work, hobbies or your hometown. Choose two idioms from the list above that you would really say, write one true sentence with each, and record a 30-second answer. Listen back tomorrow. If both idioms sound natural, keep them. If not, replace them and try again. A small set you can use with confidence will serve you better on test day than a long list you half remember.
FAQ
How many idioms should I use in the IELTS Speaking test?
There is no fixed number. In practice, one to three natural idioms across the whole test is plenty. What matters is that each one fits the topic and is used correctly. Quality counts; quantity does not.
Will using idioms automatically get me Band 8?
No. Idioms are one small part of Lexical Resource, which is one of four criteria. You also need fluency, grammar range and accuracy, and clear pronunciation. A wrong or forced idiom can even lower your score.
Are informal idioms allowed in IELTS Speaking?
Yes. The Speaking test is a conversation, so everyday idioms are fine. Avoid slang that is rude, very regional or out of date, and avoid formal written phrases that sound like an essay.