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.
10 Useful Idioms For The IELTS Speaking Test The bands of above are 7, and As you can see, using idioms, even with some inappropriate choices, is typical of a band candidate By using them skillfully, with only occasional inaccuracies you are likely to get an in this category Rarely students use them perfectly and this is typical of someone who reaches a 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 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 exgirlfriend walk into the wedding party with another man Beggar on horseback Meaning: 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 ... 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... 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... 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