IDIOMS AND PHRASES for IELTS
A Sitting Duck: A person or object in a vulnerable position that is easy to attack or injure.
Sentence – When my car broke down in a bad neighborhood, I felt like a sitting duck, just waiting to get robbed.
A Snowball’s Chance in Hell: Little to no likelihood of occurrence or success.
Sentence – That candidate doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of winning an election in this part of the state.
A Stitch in Time Saves Nine: Fix something quickly, because if you don’t, it will just get more difficult to fix.
Sentence – You should consider getting your car repaired now before you’re left stranded on the side of the road—a stitch in time saves nine.
A Stone’s Throw: A very short distance.
Sentence – Brett wanted a shorter commute, so he moved to a house that is a stone’s throw from his job.
A Storm in a Teacup: Unnecessary anger or worry about an unimportant or trivial matter.
Sentence – Within Dotty’s hearing a home pirate remarked that he thought it had all been a storm in a teacup.
A Tall Order: A difficult task.
Sentence – It’s a tall order, and a challenge to development communication professionals in the coming decade.
About Time: Far past the desired time.
Sentence – It’s about time this old sewing machine was put out to pasture.
About To: On the point of, occurring imminently.
Sentence – He glanced about to make sure that the audience were ready to hear his speech.
Above And Beyond: More than is expected or required.
Sentence – Moreover, Morrissey’s falsetto wail soars above and beyond the bad music criticism languishing in his lyrics.
Above Board: Openly, without deceit. Honestly, reputably.
Sentence – Given Takeshita’s modus operandi, bribes were necessary, and he argued that the Recruit deal was above board.
Above The Law: Exempt from the laws that apply to everyone else.
Sentence – One of the negative reminders of Watergate is that the highest officials of government often are above the law.
Above The Salt: Of high standing or honor
Sentence – I went to a reception at the embassy and I was sitting above the salt.
Above Water: Not in extreme difficulty. Especially said of finances.
Sentence – Pensioners already fighting to keep their heads above water are being asked to pay extra council tax to fund the refugee crisis.
Accident Of Birth: Luck in something due to family good fortune.
Sentence – But even Labour v Tories is better than a party-political system which depends on religion, and an accident of birth.
Accident Waiting To Happen: A dangerous way of setting up or organizing something.
Sentence – For many months local residents had been complaining that the building was unsafe, and that it was an accident waiting to happen.
According To Hoyle: Properly, in accordance with established procedures.
Sentence – It’s not according to Hoyle to hit a man when he’s down.
Ace In The Hole: A hidden advantage.
Sentence – High technology remains the ace in the hole for foreign companies.
Ace Up One’s Sleeve: A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.
Sentence – Acid Test: A crucial event that determines the worth of something.
The acid test of a good driver is whether he remains calm in an emergency.
Acknowledge The Corn: Admit to a mistake, especially a small one; point out one’s own shortcomings, or another’s.
Sentence – When his error was proved he had to acknowledge the corn.
Acquired Taste: Something one learns to appreciate only after trying it repeatedly.
Sentence – Some smoking and alcoholic drinks are an acquired taste and are not in born.
