Idioms To Avoid In IELTS Writing Test?

Idioms can be used in the IELTS Writing tasks. But, be very careful. You can use the idioms that are common. Avoid making use of the idioms that are uncommon.

There are various idioms or idiomatic expressions that are funny. For instance, idioms that carry names of the animals. Of course, you are not supposed to make use of such idioms. Apart from funny-sounding idioms, you are also not expected to make use of idioms that are awkward. Following is the list of the idioms that you should avoid in your IELTS writing.

  • The elephant in the room
  • As mad as a hatter
  • Back to square one
  • Get someone's goat
  • Go bananas
  • A hot potato
  • Best thing since sliced bread
  • Bite the bullet
  • Have your ducks in a row
  • Flash in the pan
  • Hoisted by your own petard
  • Daylight robbery
  • Dead ringer
  • Turn turtle
  • Couch potato
  • Push the boat out
  • Elvis has left the building
  • Running around like a headless chicken
  • Whistle for it
  • Have a bone to pick with someone
  • More holes than a Swiss cheese
  • Fat chance or Slim chance
  • Eager beaver

 

  • To weep crocodile tears
  • By the skin of your teeth
  • Everything but the kitchen sink
  • To have someone over the barrel
  • Neck of the woods
  • Go belly up
  • Throw down the gauntlet
  • Armed to the teeth
  • Burst at the seams
  • Don’t give up your day job
  • Wolf in sheep's clothing
  • The tail wagging the dog
  • Under the weather
  • Chew the fat
  • Hold your horses
  • Cold turkey 
  • Thick as thieves
  • Throw a wrench in the works
  • Skeletons in the cupboard
  • Pull the wool over someone’s eye
  • Spill the beans
  • Use your loaf

 

  • Raining cats and dogs
  • Bite off more than you can chew
  • Chance your arm
  • Acock and bull story
  • There's not enough room to swing a cat
  • Monkey business
  • Over the barrel
  • If you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours
  • Make money from old rope
  • Cock and bull story
  • Raining cats and dogs
  • Put a sock in it
  • Feather in your cap
  • Once the balloon has gone up
  • Bull in a china shop
  • Whole nine yards (full nine yards)
  • Pot calling the kettle black
  • Strike while the iron is hot
  • Pie in the sky
  • Swing the lead
  • Taken aback

 

Want to prepare for the IELTS? Want to join IELTS training online? Enroll for the IELTS preparation online at IELTS7band.net.