Learning English is difficult, learning idioms is even more difficult. However, if you know how to learn and use idioms effectively, your speaking will be natural. Since then, my IELTS Speaking score has also increased significantly.

The article below will help you better understand idioms and learn some common idioms in English.

1. What is an idiom?

Idiom is an idiom in English. It is usually phrases or can be a combined sentence. However, the meaning of idioms is different from the literal meaning of those words. 

2. The importance of idioms in IELTS Speaking

Idiom helps your sentences become more concise but contains a broad meaning. In Ielts Speaking, one of the criteria for the examiner to consider giving you a higher score is if you use a few less common words and idioms.

If you know how to use idioms appropriately and naturally, you will achieve a higher speaking score.

3. Common idioms in Ielts Speaking

Below are common idioms. The word list includes specific meanings and examples to help you understand clearly and apply effectively.

 

at all cost    Bằng mọi giá

be out of your depth Trong tình thế khó xử/khó khăn

explore all avenues Suy tính đến các hướng/bước để tránh xảy ra vấn đề/hậu quả xấu

let’s face it Hãy đối mặt/chấp nhận thực tế/sự thật

behind the times Lỗi thời, hết thời

sleep on it Suy nghĩ (trước khi quyết định)

broke Hết tiền.

change one’s mind Đổi ý

cut it out! Dừng làm việc gì xấu

drop someone a line Gửi 1 lá thư hay email cho ai đó

figure something out Hiểu được vấn đề gì

fill in for someone Làm dùm ai khi họ vắng mặt

in ages Từ rất lâu  

give someone a hand Giúp

hit the hay Đi ngủ     

in the black Sinh lời, có lời

in the red Mất tiền, lỗ

in the nick of time Xíu nữa, 1 lúc nữa

keep one’s chin up Dũng cảm và tiếp tục

know something like the back of your hand Biết 1 việc gì rất rõ

in deep water Trong tình thế nguy hiểm/khó khăn

put yourself in somebody’s shoes Thử đặt mình vào vị trí/hoàn cảnh của người khác

to be up in arms about something Tức giận, buồn bực vì điều gì đó

as easy as pie Rất dễ, dễ như ăn bánh

be sick and tired of Tôi ghét (tôi không chịu được)

bend over backwards Rất cố gắng ( có khi quá sức )a

a piece of cake dễ dàng 

4. How to learn common idioms effectively?

a. Learn idioms by topic

Just like when learning vocabulary, learn idioms by topic. This way of learning will help you easily classify which topic the idiom belongs to.

From there, it is easier to remember the meaning and apply the correct context, speaking more naturally and fluently.

b. Learn less and understand more, no cramming

Don't try to learn a lot of idioms and then not know how to use them in any situation, just choose common idioms.  It is important that you clearly understand the meaning and apply it appropriately.

I sometimes get confused with Vietnamese idioms, let alone English idioms, so just learn slowly but surely, saying whatever you say gets points.

c. Practice regularly and apply in the right context

Knowledge is forgotten for a long time, so if you want to remember idioms, you must review regularly. In particular, you should learn and practice idioms in specific contexts. That helps you learn faster and use the correct meaning of idioms.

Hopefully the above article will help you understand what idiom is? Its importance in IELTS Speaking? How to learn idioms effectively? In addition, synthesizing common idioms with specific meanings and examples will help you communicate like a native and be more confident in exams.