Idioms are widely use in the communications in English. One of the criterias to get a band 7 or above in the IELTS Speaking exam is that you have to show fluency. One good way to show your proficiency is using idioms. Once you are confident with idioms, you should impress the examiner in the speaking test.
1. It’s not rocket science
Rocket science refers to something difficult and complicated. If you say something is not rocket science, it means you think it is not difficult.
e.g.
- Taking the DSE is not rocket science if you know the method behind and work hard.
2. Pull an all-nighter
All nighter refers to an event that lasts all night. If you pulled an all nighter, you have been working for the whole night without sleeping.
e.g.
- Many college students are procrastinators who pull a lot of all-nighter to meet deadlines.
3. Be dead in the water
If something is dead in the water, that means it has failed and it’s impossible to succeed in the future.
e.g.
- The whole economy is dead in the water.
4. Blind alley
A situation that is unlikely to produce effective results, the allay has a dead end and it leads nowhere
e.g.
- These sort of thinking are leading us up a blind alley.
5. Double-edged sword
Something that is double-edged acts in two ways. Double-edged sword is used to describe something that has two sides – positive and negative.
e.g.
- This much freedom of expressions and opinions can be a double-edged sword.
6. Pillar of strength
Someone or something that remains strong and provides a lot of support for others when they are in a difficult situation.
e.g.
- My aunt has been a pillar of strength for me, helping me through many difficult moments in my life.
7. Every dog has its day
Said to emphasize that everyone is successful or happy in some moments in their lives.
e.g.
- Every dog has its day and thankfully it was my couple of days.
