10 Useful Idioms For The IELTS Speaking Test The 3 bands of above are 7, 8 and 9. As you can see, using idioms, even with some inappropriate choices, is typical of a band 7 candidate. By using them skillfully, with only occasional inaccuracies you are likely to get an 8 in this category. Rarely students use them perfectly and this is typical of someone who reaches a 9. Make a beeline for Meaning: Go rapidly and directly towards. Origin: The bee was supposed to fly in a such a way when returning to its hive. In a sentence:The hungry tourists made a beeline for the buffet that featured delicious food from all over the world. Jump (or climb) on the bandwagon Meanin:g Join others in doing or supporting something fashionable or likely to be successful. Origin: Bandwagon was originally the US term for a large wagon able to carry a band in a procession. In a sentence: When your TV show does extremely well, advertisers will be competing to be the first to jump on the bandwagon. Off (or way off) beam Meaning: On the wrong track; mistaken. Origin: Originally, referring to the radio beam or signal used to guide aircraft. The opposite is on the beam. In a sentence: I lost the bet as my prediction was way off beam. At someone’s beck and call Meaning:Always having to be ready to obey someone’s orders immediately. Origin: Beck in the sense of “significant gesture of command” comes from the verb beck, which is shortened form of beckon and is now found mainly in this phrase. In a sentence: She is going to be confined to a wheelchair for the next three weeks but she’s not complaining as she will have a nurse at her beck and call. Pass (or hand) (on) the baton Meaning: Hand over a particular duty or responsibility. Origin: A metaphor from athletics: the baton is the short stick or rod passed from one runner to the next in a relay race. Thus, to take up (or pick up) the baton is to accept a duty or responsibility. In a sentence: Susan has passed the baton after 40 years at the helm of the biggest technology company in the region. Work like a beaver Meaning: Work steadily and industriously. Origin: The beaver is proverbial for the industriousness with which it constructs the dams necessary for its aquatic dwellings. In a sentence: She worked like a beaver to empty the house as the new tenant will be moving in tomorrow.
Trang 110 Useful Idioms For The IELTS
Speaking Test
The 3 bands of above are 7, 8 and 9 As you can see, using idioms, even with some inappropriate choices, is typical of a band 7 candidate By using them skillfully, with only occasional inaccuracies you are likely to get an 8 in this category Rarely students use them perfectly and this is typical
of someone who reaches a 9.
Make a beeline for
Meaning: Go rapidly and directly towards.
Origin: The bee was supposed to fly in a such a way when
returning to its hive
In a sentence:The hungry tourists made a beeline for the buffet
that featured delicious food from all over the world
Jump (or climb) on the bandwagon
Meanin:g Join others in doing or supporting something
fashionable or likely to be successful
Origin: Bandwagon was originally the US term for a large
wagon able to carry a band in a procession
In a sentence: When your TV show does extremely well,
advertisers will be competing to be the first to jump on the bandwagon
Off (or way off) beam
Meaning: On the wrong track; mistaken.
Origin: Originally, referring to the radio beam or signal used to
guide aircraft The opposite is on the beam.
In a sentence: I lost the bet as my prediction was way off
beam
At someone’s beck and call
Meaning:Always having to be ready to obey someone’s orders
immediately
Origin: Beck in the sense of “significant gesture of command”
comes from the verb beck, which is shortened form
of beckon and is now found mainly in this phrase.
Trang 2In a sentence: She is going to be confined to a wheelchair for
the next three weeks but she’s not complaining as she will have a nurse at her beck and call
Pass (or hand) (on) the baton
Meaning: Hand over a particular duty or responsibility.
Origin: A metaphor from athletics: the baton is the short stick
or rod passed from one runner to the next in a relay race
Thus, to take up (or pick up) the baton is to accept a duty or
responsibility
In a sentence: Susan has passed the baton after 40 years at
the helm of the biggest technology company in the region
Work like a beaver
Meaning: Work steadily and industriously.
Origin: The beaver is proverbial for the industriousness with
which it constructs the dams necessary for its aquatic
dwellings
In a sentence: She worked like a beaver to empty the house as
the new tenant will be moving in tomorrow
Bed of nails
Meaning: A problematic or uncomfortable situation.
Origin: Originally a board with nails pointing out of it, as used
by Eastern fakirs and ascetics
In a sentence: My parents are very judgemental and living
with them can be a bed of nails
Beat a (hasty) retreat
Meaning: Withdraw, typically to avoid something unpleasant Origin:Formerly in a military context, a drumbeat could be
used to keep soldiers in step while retreating
In a sentence: David beat a retreat when he saw his
ex-girlfriend walk into the wedding party with another man
Beggar on horseback
Trang 3Meaning: A formerly poor person made arrogant or corrupt
through achieving wealth and luxury
Origin: The proverbial saying set a beggar on horseback and
he’ll ride to the devil
In a sentence:It’s not surprising that he lost everything and is
being investigated by the authorities as he was a beggar on a horseback
A whole new ball game
Meaning: A completely new set of circumstances.
Origin: Ball game in North America refers to a game of
baseball
In a sentence: After Sarah joined the Marketing team as
General Manager, it was a whole new ball game