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Idioms by topic:

Idioms for common topics on IELTS Speaking Part 1

1. Hometown

• Hive of activity – a place where a lot is happening
  New York is a hive of activity. There’s always something to do, even at night!
• Second to none – the best, better than everything else
  I truly believe my town is second to none. It’s just a great place to live!
• Middle of nowhere – a place that is very remote, far from any city/town
  I was born in the middle of nowhere. The nearest shop was 20 miles away!
• Hustle and bustle – To have many activities, a crowded and modern place
  I love living in London. I always wanted the hustle and bustle of a big city.
• A stone’s throw (from) – very close to
  My apartment is just a stone’s throw from the centre of Paris.

2. Work

• Go the extra mile – to do more than is expected of you
  I’m a hard worker and always go the extra mile to make sure my team does well.
• Pull one’s weight – to do a fair share of the work
  There’s always one guy at work who doesn’t pull his weight.
• Follow one’s heart – do what you feel is right for you
  After university, I decided to follow my heart and become a doctor.
• Raise one’s game – improve the standard of your work or performance
  When I started working at Nike HQ, I really had to raise my game!
• On the dole – receiving unemployment benefit from the state welfare system
  When I was between jobs, I was on the dole for about 6 months.

3. Sport & fitness

• In perfect shape – be very fit, in top physical condition
  I’m not in perfect shape these days, but I used to run marathons regularly.
• Make the cut – be selected, meet the right standard
  I tried out for the local hockey team last year, but I didn’t make the cut.
• Give it one’s best shot – try one’s hardest
  Our football team lost in the final, but at least we gave it our best shot!
• Couch potato – lazy person who likes to lie around on the sofa
  I’ve been a couch potato during lockdown! I really should join the gym now.

4. Family

• Rule the roost – to be in charge, be the boss
  When we were kids, my eldest brother definitely ruled the roost. He was always telling us what to do!
• Black sheep – to be different from others
  I was always considered the black sheep of the family because I didn’t want to go to university.
• Born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth – to be born into a wealthy and privileged family
  I must admit that I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I have had a very comfortable life.

5. Relationships

• Get on like a house on fire – to get along really well with someone
  I was apprehensive about living with my colleague Juan, but now we get on like a house on fire.
• Rub each other up the wrong way – not get on well, argue, clash
  Me and my sister have always rubbed each other up the wrong way. I guess we’re just very different people.
• On the same wavelength – to click, have a great understanding
  John’s my best friend. We’re just on the same wavelength.

6. Home

• There’s no place like home – home is a very special place
  I love living away at university, but there’s no place like home.
• Fly the nest – leave family home forever
  I’m not ready to fly the nest yet. I want to find a good job and apartment first.
• Get on the property ladder – buy first house
  Mortgages are a big responsibility, but I think it’s important to get on the property ladder as early as possible.
• Creature comforts – household items that give added comfort
  I can’t do without my creature comforts – a comfy bed, electric blanket and widescreen TV in the bedroom!
• Get homesick – miss home badly when away
  I used to get homesick all the time, but now I’m used to living abroad.

7. Technology

• Go viral – quickly become popular on the internet
  The company’s Youtube clip went viral and boosted sales by 200%.
• Not rocket science – not difficult or overly complicated
  Some say even basic coding is super hard, but it’s not rocket science.
• Run out of steam – lose momentum, decrease in popularity
  To be honest, I think Facebook has run out of steam. Instagram is way more popular these days.

8. Music

• One-hit wonder – person/band that had only one hit song
  Many bands become famous for a great song, but are never seen again. I guess it’s easier to be a one-hit wonder!
• On full blast – at maximum volume
  I like putting my music on full blast, but my neighbours always complain!
• Be into (a type of music) – like, enjoy listening to
  I used to be into heavy metal, but I’m more into drum’n’bass right now.

9. Movies

• Be on the edge of one’s seat – very excited, nervous
  The new Bond movie had us on the edge of our seats.
• Live up to the hype – to be as good as people hoped it will be
  I was sure the new Marvel movie was going to be a disappointment, but it really lived up to the hype!
• A household name – famous person who everyone knows
  Because of his great success as an actor, Robert De Niro has become a household name.

10. Travel

• Hit the road – to start a journey or leave a place
  If I’m going on a long journey, I always like to hit the road early and beat the traffic.
• Off the beaten track – far from civilisation, away from people/tourists
  Whenever I travel, I prefer to stay off the beaten track. I hate touristy places!
• Travel light – to bring few items on a trip
  I’m only going for the weekend, so I plan to travel light.
• Everything but the kitchen sink – a lot of items/things
  When my Australian friend comes to stay, she brings everything but the kitchen sink!
• Live out of a suitcase – travel a lot, and therefore be limited to the contents of a suitcase
  My job involves so much travelling that I practically live out of a suitcase.

11. Study

• Hit the books – to study
  I can’t party with my friends much because I need to hit the books.
• Learn (something) by heart – to memorise something
  When you’re at Med School like me, you have to learn a lot of anatomical terms by heart.
• Pass with flying colours – to pass a test easily and with a high score
  At school, I struggled with Maths while others passed with flying colours.
• Teacher’s pet – the teacher’s favourite student
  I have to admit I definitely was the teacher’s pet at school!
• Take it one step at a time – do something slowly and methodically
  In my experience, it’s not easy to learn a new language. You just have to take it one step at a time.
• Bookworm – someone who reads a lot, a geek
  My brother reads 5 hours a day. He is such a bookworm!