Want to impress the examiner in your IELTS speaking test and boost your band score? Using idioms effectively in IELTS is a powerful tool to sound fluent and natural in English. If you’re aiming for Band 8 or 9, idiomatic expressions can demonstrate your strong grasp of language. In this blog, we bring you a curated list of 40+ IELTS idioms with simple Hindi meanings and smart examples so you can use them confidently. Whether you’re just starting an IELTS course or looking to refine your speaking skills, these useful idioms for IELTS speaking will make your answers more impactful and memorable.
Use These Idioms Instead of Saying this Phrase in IELTS Speaking Test
Idioms show the examiner that you’re comfortable with natural, everyday English. Including a few best idioms for IELTS speaking can help you sound more fluent, especially if used in the right context. Just remember—not to overuse them, but to integrate them smoothly to score Band 9.
1. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
Instead of Saying: It’s better to appreciate what you have than to risk losing it for something better.
English Meaning: It’s better to be content and happy with what you have than to risk losing it by trying to achieve something better.
Hindi Meaning: जो आपके पास है, वही ज़्यादा कीमती है, न कि कुछ बेहतर पाने की कोशिश में उसे खोना।
Example: While preparing for the IELTS, don’t get distracted by other opportunities; a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
2. Clear the air
Instead of Saying: Resolve this misunderstanding or tension.
English Meaning: To clarify a situation or resolve any misunderstandings.
Hindi Meaning: कोई भ्रम या तनाव को सुलझाना।
Example: Let’s clear the air about your IELTS preparation strategies before we proceed.
3. Cost an arm and a leg
Instead of Saying: It is very expensive.
English Meaning: Something that is very costly.
Hindi Meaning: कुछ बहुत महंगा होना।
Example: Private IELTS coaching can cost an arm and a leg, but it can be worth it if you need personalized attention.
4. Cut to the chase
Instead of Saying: Get to the point quickly
English Meaning: To skip the unnecessary details and get to the main point.
Hindi Meaning: बिना किसी अलग से जानकारी के ख़ास बात पर आ जाना।
Example: Let’s cut to the chase. You need to improve your reading skills for the IELTS exam.
5. In hot water
Instead of Saying: I am in trouble
English Meaning: To be in a difficult or troublesome situation.
Hindi Meaning: किसी मुश्किल या परेशानी में फंसना।
Example: I was in hot water after failing my first IELTS test, but I worked hard to improve.
6. Jump the gun
Instead of Saying: Start too early or too soon
English Meaning: To start something before you are ready or before it’s appropriate.
Hindi Meaning: किसी काम को समय से पहले या जल्दबाजी में करना।
Example: Don’t jump the gun by taking the IELTS test before you feel adequately prepared.
7. Miss the boat
Instead of Saying: I missed an opportunity
English Meaning: To miss an important opportunity.
Hindi Meaning: कोई ख़ास मौका खो देना।
Example: I missed the boat on the early registration for the IELTS exam, so I had to wait for the next available date.
8. Play your cards right
Instead of Saying: Use the right strategy
English Meaning: To make the right decisions in order to achieve success.
Hindi Meaning: सही रणनीति का इस्तेमाल करना।
Example: If you play your cards right, you will definitely score well in the IELTS writing section.
9. Rain on someone (you) parade
Instead of Saying: You spoil my plans or mood
English Meaning: To spoil or ruin someone’s happiness or plans.
Hindi Meaning: किसी के अच्छे mood या plan को खराब करना।
Example: I don’t want to rain on your parade, but you might want to reconsider your IELTS preparation strategy.
10. Rough around the edges
Instead of Saying: Not perfect, but still good
English Meaning: Something that is not perfect, but still acceptable.
Hindi Meaning: ऐसा कुछ जो आदर्श नहीं है, लेकिन फिर भी ठीक है।
Example: My speaking test was rough around the edges, but I managed to express my thoughts clearly.
11. Speak of the devil
Instead of Saying: Talk about someone who arrives unexpectedly
English Meaning: When you are talking about someone and they suddenly appear.
Hindi Meaning: जब किसी व्यक्ति के बारे में बात करते हुए वह अचानक सामने आ जाए।
Example: Speak of the devil, I was just talking about how important listening practice is for the IELTS exam!
12. Steal someone’s thunder
Instead of Saying: He is taking attention away from someone else
English Meaning: To take the attention or credit for something that someone else was supposed to receive.
Hindi Meaning: किसी और का credit छीनना।
Example: Don’t steal my thunder by giving away all the tips for the IELTS test before the seminar.
13. Take a rain check
Instead of Saying: I have to postpone or delay an offer or plan
English Meaning: To decline an invitation or suggestion but suggest doing it later.
Hindi Meaning: किसी प्रस्ताव को नकार देना।
Example: I’ll have to take a rain check on practicing more listening tasks today as I have some urgent work to do.
14. Throw in the towel
Instead of Saying: I quit or give up
English Meaning: To give up or stop trying.
Hindi Meaning: हार मान लेना या कोशिश करना छोड़ देना।
Example: Don’t throw in the towel just because you failed the first IELTS practice test. Keep working at it!
15. Up in the air
Instead of Saying: This is uncertain or undecided
English Meaning: Something that is uncertain or not yet decided.
Hindi Meaning: कोई बात या फैसला जो अभी तय नहीं हुआ हो।
Example: My plan to register for the IELTS exam is still up in the air, depending on my work schedule.
16. When in Rome, do as the Romans do
Instead of Saying: I adapt to the customs of the place I am in
English Meaning: When you are in a different place, follow the local customs or behavior.
Hindi Meaning: जब आप किसी नई जगह पर हों, तो वहाँ के रीति-रिवाजों का पालन करें।
Example: When in Rome, do as the Romans do. During the IELTS speaking test, follow the examiner’s cues and stay calm.
17. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch
Instead of Saying: Don’t assume something will happen before it does
English Meaning: Don’t assume or expect something to happen before it actually does.
Hindi Meaning: किसी चीज़ के होने से पहले उसे निश्चित न मानें।
Example: Don’t count your chickens before they hatch. Just because you did well in your practice tests doesn’t mean you’ll get a high score in the IELTS exam.
18. Make a long story short
Instead of Saying: Summarize something briefly
English Meaning: To explain something in a more concise way.
Hindi Meaning: किसी लंबी बात को कम शब्दों में बताना।
Example: To make a long story short, the key to IELTS success is practice, time management, and understanding the test format.
19. On the ball
Instead of Saying: Be alert or quick to respond
English Meaning: To be quick to understand and react to something.
Hindi Meaning: किसी चीज़ पर पूरा ध्यान देना या तत्पर रहना।
Example: You need to be on the ball during the IELTS listening test so that you don’t miss any important information.
20. Take it with a grain of salt
Instead of Saying: Don’t believe everything you hear
English Meaning: To not believe everything you hear; to be skeptical.
Hindi Meaning: जो सुना है उस पर पूरी तरह विश्वास न करें।
Example: Take any last-minute IELTS tips you hear with a grain of salt and make sure you do your own research.
21. The proof is in the pudding
Instead of Saying: The results will show whether this is successful or not
English Meaning: You can only judge the quality of something based on its results.
Hindi Meaning: किसी चीज़ की कामयाबी या quality केवल उसके नतीजों से साबित होती है।
Example: You can study all you want, but the proof is in the pudding when you take the IELTS test and see your score.
22. Throw your hat in the ring
Instead of Saying: I make yourself a candidate for this (something)
English Meaning: To take part in a competition or to express interest in something.
Hindi Meaning: किसी प्रतियोगिता में हिस्सा लेना।
Example: By registering for the IELTS exam, you’ve thrown your hat in the ring for an opportunity to study abroad.
23. Wear your heart on your sleeve
Instead of Saying: Show your emotions openly
English Meaning: To openly express your emotions.
Hindi Meaning: अपनी भावनाओं को खुले तौर पर व्यक्त करना।
Example: In the IELTS speaking section, it’s okay to wear your heart on your sleeve and express your personal opinions.
24. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink
Instead of Saying: You can provide opportunities, but you can’t force someone to take them
English Meaning: You can offer help, but you cannot force someone to accept it.
Hindi Meaning: आप किसी को मदद दे सकते हैं, लेकिन उसे उस मदद को स्वीकार करने के लिए मजबूर नहीं कर सकते।
Example: You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink—if someone is not committed to their IELTS preparation, no amount of support will help.
25. A dime a dozen
Instead of Saying: Something that is very common
English Meaning: Something that is very easy to find or very common.
Hindi Meaning: ऐसी चीज़ जो बहुत आम हो या बहुत आसानी से मिल जाए।
Example: Free IELTS practice materials are a dime a dozen, but finding quality resources is more challenging.
26. All in all
Instead of Saying: Considering everything
English Meaning: After considering everything.
Hindi Meaning: सब कुछ मिलाकर, कुल मिलाकर।
Example: All in all, the key to acing the IELTS listening section is consistent practice and listening to a variety of materials.
27. At the drop of a hat
Instead of Saying: Immediately or without any hesitation
English Meaning: To do something quickly or immediately, without any delay.
Hindi Meaning: बिना किसी देरी के तुरंत कुछ करना।
Example: She can take the IELTS exam at the drop of a hat, as she is always prepared and confident.
28. Call it a day
Instead of Saying: Stop working for the day
English Meaning: To stop working, especially after a long period of work.
Hindi Meaning: काम को खत्म करना, खासकर लंबी मेहनत के बाद।
Example: After a few hours of intense IELTS practice, I decided to call it a day and relax.
29. Caught between a rock and a hard place
Instead of Saying: Faced with a difficult decision
English Meaning: To be in a difficult situation where there are no good choices.
Hindi Meaning: एक कठिन स्थिति में होना जहाँ कोई भी अच्छा विकल्प न हो।
Example: I was caught between a rock and a hard place when I had to choose between two IELTS test dates.
30. Cut the mustard
Instead of Saying: To perform well
English Meaning: To meet the required standard; to be successful.
Hindi Meaning: किसी standard को पूरा करना, कामयाब होना।
Example: If your practice test results are not cutting the mustard, you need to adjust your preparation strategy.
31. Go back to the drawing board
Instead of Saying: Start over after a failure
English Meaning: To start over and rework something after a failure or setback.
Hindi Meaning: किसी नाकामयाबी के बाद फिर से शुरुआत करना।
Example: After my first IELTS speaking test, I had to go back to the drawing board and practice my speaking skills more effectively.
32. Let the chips fall where they may
Instead of Saying: Accept the outcome of a situation
English Meaning: To accept whatever happens without trying to influence it.
Hindi Meaning: जो होगा, उसे होने देना।
Example: When you’ve done your best preparing for IELTS, let the chips fall where they may and trust your abilities.
33. Make a mountain out of a molehill
Instead of Saying: Make something seem more important than it is
English Meaning: To exaggerate the importance of something.
Hindi Meaning: किसी छोटी सी चीज़ को बहुत बड़ा बना देना।
Example: Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill when you get one wrong answer in your IELTS practice test.
34. Out of the frying pan into the fire
Instead of Saying: Going from a bad situation to a worse one
English Meaning: To shift from a bad situation to an even worse one.
Hindi Meaning: बुरी स्थिति से और भी बुरी स्थिति में आना।
Example: I thought skipping the study session would help, but it was out of the frying pan into the fire when I struggled during the IELTS listening test.
35. Put two and two together
Instead of Saying: Understand something by putting the facts together
English Meaning: To understand or figure something out by putting together various facts.
Hindi Meaning: कई तरह के facts को जोड़कर किसी चीज़ को समझना।
Example: By analyzing the IELTS writing task, I put two and two together and realized that I need to focus on structure and coherence.
36. See eye to eye
Instead of Saying: Agree completely
English Meaning: To agree with someone completely on any matter.
Hindi Meaning: किसी से पूरी तरह सहमत होना।
Example: My tutor and I didn’t see eye to eye on my IELTS preparation method at first, but after some discussions, we were on the same page.
37. Shoot the breeze
Instead of Saying: Casual conversation
English Meaning: To have a casual or informal conversation.
Hindi Meaning: आराम से, बिना किसी गंभीर मुद्दे के बात करना।
Example: I used to shoot the breeze with my friends in English, which helped me improve my fluency for the IELTS speaking test.
38. Through thick and thin
Instead of Saying: I support you in both good and bad times
English Meaning: To support someone through every phase of life signifying ups and downs in life.
Hindi Meaning: अच्छे और बुरे समय में किसी का साथ देना।
Example: I’ve been preparing for the IELTS exam through thick and thin, practicing every day no matter the circumstances.
39. Turn a blind eye
Instead of Saying: Ignore something intentionally
English Meaning: To ignore something deliberately even after knowing it.
Hindi Meaning: किसी चीज़ को जानबूझकर नजरअंदाज करना।
Example: I can’t turn a blind eye to my weaknesses in listening; I need to work on them for the IELTS exam.
40. Wear your heart on your sleeve
Instead of Saying: Express your emotions openly
English Meaning: To show your emotions openly, especially love or affection.
Hindi Meaning: अपने भावनाओं को खुलकर दिखाना।
Example: In the IELTS speaking test, it’s important to wear your heart on your sleeve and speak with confidence.
41. You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours
Instead of Saying: Help each other out
English Meaning: Do something for someone, and they will return the favor.
Hindi Meaning: एक-दूसरे की मदद करना।
Example: If you help me practice my speaking, I’ll help you with listening. You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours!
42. Your guess is as good as mine
Instead of Saying: I don’t know any more than you
English Meaning: To say that you don’t know any more than the other person.
Hindi Meaning: मैं भी उतना ही जानता हूँ जितना तुम।
Example: When it comes to choosing the best IELTS preparation book, your guess is as good as mine.
43. A watched pot never boils
Instead of Saying: Things take time, so be patient
English Meaning: Things take time and you can’t force them to happen faster.
Hindi Meaning: चीज़ों को जल्दी नहीं किया जा सकता, समय लगता है।
Example: Don’t keep checking your IELTS scores every hour. A watched pot never boils.
44. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you
Instead of Saying: Don’t harm or criticize those who help you
English Meaning: Don’t harm those who are helping or supporting you.
Hindi Meaning: उन लोगों को नुकसान मत पहुंचाओ जो तुम्हारी मदद कर रहे हैं।
Example: Remember, don’t bite the hand that feeds you. Your tutor is helping you prepare for IELTS.
Conclusion
To stand out in the IELTS speaking test, it’s not enough to just speak correctly—you have to speak naturally. That’s where idioms come in. Learning these most common idioms for IELTS speaking and using them smartly will help you demonstrate confidence, fluency, and strong language command. Whether you’re enrolled in an IELTS course or self-studying, mastering these expressions is key to reaching a high band. Bookmark this blog of IELTS idioms and practice them daily. With these IELTS speaking idioms for Band 9, you’re one step closer to your dream score!
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