Vocabulary 10: Idioms of English in IELTS

1. As easy as pie 
E.g.: He said it is a difficult problem, but I don’t agree. It seems as easy as pie to me!
 
2. Be sick and tired of 
E.g.: I’m sick and tired of doing nothing but work. Let’s go out tonight and have fun.
 
3. Bend over backwards 
E.g.: He bent over backwards to please his new wife, but she never seemed satisfied.
 
4. Sleep on it
E.g.: That sounds like a good deal, but I’d like to sleep on it before I give you my final decision.
 
5. Broke
E.g.: I have to borrow some money from my Dad. Right now, I’m broke
 
6. Change one’s mind
E.g.: I was planning to work late tonight, but I changed my mind. I’ll do extra work on the weekend instead.
 
7. Cut it out!
E.g.: That noise is really annoying. Cut it out!
 
8. Drop someone a line
E.g.: It was good to meet you . Drop me a line when you have time.
 
9. Figure something out
E.g.: I don’t understand how to do this problem. Take a look at it. Maybe you can figure it out.
 
10. Fill in for someone
E.g.: While I was away from the store, my brother filled in for me.
 
11. In ages
E.g.: Have you seen Joe recently? I haven’t seen him in ages.
 
12. Give someone a hand
E.g.: I want to move this desk. Can you give me a hand?
 
13. Hit the hay
E.g.: It’s after 12 o’clock. I think it’s time to hit the hay.
 
14. In the black
E.g.: Our business is really improving. We’ve been in the black all year.
 
15. In the red    
E.g.: Business is really going poorly these days. We’ve been in the red for the past three months.
 
16. In the nick of time
E.g.: I got to the drugstore just in the nick of time. I really need this medicine!
 
17. Keep one’s chin up
E.g.: I know things have been difficult for you recently, but keep your chin up. It will get better soon.
 
18. Know something like the back of your hand
E.g.: If you get lost, just ask me for directions. I know this part of town like the back of my hand
 
19. Once in a while
E.g.: Have you been to the new movie theater? No, only see movies once in a while.
 
20. Sharp
E.g.: I’ll meet you at 9 o’clock sharp. If you’re late, we’ll be in trouble!