IELTS Vocabulary
Aha Moment: Sudden realization, the point at which one suddenly understands something.
Sentence – “he had an aha moment when looking at my medications past and present”
Ahead Of One’s Time: Offering ideas not yet in general circulation; highly creative.
Sentence – That 19th-century scientist was definitely ahead of his time with his detailed plan of space travel.
Ahead Of the Curve: Innovative, devising new ideas in advance of others.
Sentence – I’m not sure how I did on that exam, but I think I’ll end up ahead of the curve.
Ahead Of the Game: Making faster progress than anticipated; ahead of schedule.
Sentence – My term paper isn’t due until next week, but I want to be ahead of the game and finish it tonight.
Air Rage: Angry behavior inside an airplane.
Sentence – Airline crews are trained to diffuse incidents of air rage, which often start as minor disputes between passengers.
Airy Fairy: whimsical, nonsensical, impractical.
Sentence – My mom always had these airy-fairy ideas of us all traveling around the world, but we never had enough money for it.
Albatross Around One’s Neck: Something from one’s past that acts as a hindrance.
Sentence – The old property became an albatross around his neck as the costs of repair and renovation began to skyrocket.
Alive and Kicking: In good health despite health problems.
Sentence – I thought for sure that old dog wouldn’t survive the winter, but he’s still alive and kicking!
All Along: For the entire time something has been happening.
Sentence – Kristen was disappointed to learn that Pete had been lying to her all along.
All And Sundry: Everyone(separately) Each one.
Sentence – Jason bought drinks for all and sundry to celebrate his promotion.
All Bark And No Bite: Tending to make verbal threats but not deliver on them.
Sentence – He always threatens to call the police if I don’t stay off his lawn, but he’s all bark and no bite.
All Bets Are Off: What seemed certain is now unclear.
Sentence – The team seemed poised for a deep playoff run, but now that their star player is injured, all bets are off.
All Dressed Up And Nowhere To Go: Prepared (with clothing or otherwise) for an event that does not occur.
Sentence – Jimmy canceled our date tonight, so I’m all dressed up and nowhere to go.
All Ears: Listening willingly, waiting for an explanation.
Sentence – Tell me about your first day at the new job—I’m all ears!
All Eyes And Ears: Attentive.
Sentence – The journalists were all eyes and ears at the press conference.
All Eyes Are On: Watching alertly or attentively. Having prominent eyes. Everyone is paying attention to.
Sentence – All eyes were on him as he walked onto the stage.
All Fur Coat And No Knickers: Superficially attractive, physically or otherwise.
Sentence – I thought David and I would really get along well, but we had nothing to talk about at dinner—he’s really all fur coat and no knickers.
All Hands on Deck: Everyone must help.
Sentence – Your grandmother arrives tomorrow and the house is still a mess—I need all hands on deck to help me clean!
All Hat And No Cattle: Pretentious, full of bluster.
Sentence – He talks as though he knows more than anyone else, but he’s all hat and no cattle.
All Hell Breaks Loose: The situation becomes chaotic.
Sentence – I’m just walking down the street when all hell breaks loose, and drivers start beeping and screaming at each other for no apparent reason.
