• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
IELTS Advantage

IELTS Advantage

  • Courses
  • Success Stories
  • Resources
    • IELTS Writing Task 1
    • IELTS Writing Task 2
    • IELTS Speaking
    • IELTS Reading
    • IELTS Listening
    • IELTS Vocabulary
  • VIP Course

7 Ways Idioms Can LOWER Your IELTS Score

Home » 7 Ways Idioms Can LOWER Your IELTS Score

I probably get asked more questions about idioms than any other single thing. Every day I get questions like:

  • Will using idioms increase my score?
  • Which idioms should I use?
  • How many idioms should I use in the speaking test?
  • Should I use idioms in the writing test?

This is one of the most misunderstood areas of the test and making some of the mistakes below can really lower your score.

Below are 7 ways idioms can decrease your speaking and writing score.

Image: Idioms-IELTS-269x300

Mistake # 1- Using Idioms in Writing Task 1 Academic

Task 1 on the Academic test requires you to describe data, a map or a process. This should never require you to use idioms because you are writing an academic report and the use of informal phrases is not appropriate.

Mistake # 2- Using Idioms in Formal Letters

Task 1 on the General Training paper asks you to write a letter, which can be either formal or informal.

It is fine to use idioms in an informal letter, as long as you use them correctly. However, using them in a formal letter is not appropriate and you will lose marks for using an informal tone.

Mistake # 3- Using Idioms in Writing Task 2

Writing Task 2 for both Academic and General Training requires you to write a short essay in an academic style. Just like formal letters or academic reports, it is not appropriate to use informal language, such as idioms, when writing this style of essay.

Mistake # 4- Overusing Idioms in the Speaking Test

Idioms can be used in the Speaking test and can help you get a higher score because you are using more idiomatic language, but this does not mean that you should use them in every single sentence.

There is no rule for how often you should use them, but you should listen to how native speakers use idioms. If you listen to native speakers, they do not use them as often as you think.

If you overuse idioms you are going to sound very unnatural, you will make more mistakes and you could also lose coherence because you are focusing more on idioms than actually answering the question. Finally, it could also lead to your fluency suffering because you are thinking too much about idioms and this will cause you to hesitate and pause while you search for the latest idiom.

Here is an example of one student I spoke to who overused idioms:

Me: Where are you from?

Student: You will be really over the moon when you visit my hometown, but it often rains cats and dogs. I only go there once in a blue moon. If you go, you will really hit the nail on the head. 

This is an extreme example, but it would surprise you how often students try to insert idioms at this rate. Again, there is no fixed rule as to how often you should use them; listen to how native speakers talk and you will soon get an idea of how you should use them appropriately.

Mistake # 5- Using Idioms You Don’t Understand

One of the worst things you can do is learn lists of idioms and then expect to use them correctly in the test. You must understand the meaning and how they are used in context before attempting to use them in the test.

For example, a common idiom is ‘once in a blue moon’ to describe something you do rarely. In the test, when asking someone how often they do something, students say ‘once in a blue moon’ and then go on to describe how they do this activity regularly. It is then obvious to the examiner that they do not really know the meaning of the idiom they used and this will lower their score.

When learning idioms, you should learn how and when they should be used. A good way to do this is by listening to how native English speakers use them and you can note down any idioms and then practice using them correctly.

Mistake # 6- Saying Idioms Incorrectly

Some of the ‘idioms’ that students have used over the years include:

  • ‘Raining dogs and cats’
  • ‘Hit the nail with the hammer’
  • ‘Overjoyed the moon’
  • ‘Once per moon’

This happens when you try to use idioms too often or you learn lists of idioms and try to use them before knowing them 100%.

Follow the 100% rule- don’t use any words or phrases unless you know the meaning, context, use and pronunciation 100%.

Mistake # 7- Thinking About Idioms Too Much

If you are constantly thinking about idioms because you are trying to insert them into your answers as much as possible, your fluency is going to suffer.

You have enough to think about in the test (ideas, developing your answers, grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation etc.) and the more you think, the less fluent you become. Make your life easier by only using idioms when it is natural to do so.

Next Steps

Now that you know what NOT to do, check out my article on how to use idioms effectively.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afyg7eGPQeA

Image: 4

Share
WhatsApp
Email
Avatar

About Christopher Pell

My name is Christopher Pell and I'm the Managing Director of IELTS Advantage.

I started IELTS Advantage as a simple blog to help 16 students in my class. Several years later, I am very humbled that my VIP Course has been able to help thousands of people around the world to score a Band 7+ in their IELTS tests.

If you need my help with your IELTS preparation, you can send me an email here: chris@ieltsadvantage.com

guest
guest
13 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Primary Sidebar

Sign up for Facebook messenger updates and receive our FREE IELTS study plan now!

Image: fb-updates

Find Answers

Search

Navigation

  • IELTS Preparation Guide
  • IELTS Writing Task 1
  • IELTS Writing Task 2
  • IELTS Reading
  • IELTS Speaking
  • IELTS Vocabulary
  • IELTS Listening
  • IELTS Tips
  • IELTS Practice: Ultimate Free Guide
  • IELTS For Teachers
  • IELTS Writing Correction Service

Find Answers

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Filter by Categories
Featured
For teachers
IELTS Beginners
Listening
Reading
Speaking
Study Tips
Uncategorised
Vocabulary
Writing Task 1
Writing Task 2

Footer

Contact us

Email: chris@ieltsadvantage.com
Connect with us:
Facebook
Instagram
Youtube

FREE IELTS Vocabulary eBook!

Image: displays

Check your email for the link.
By sharing your email, you are agreeing to our terms & privacy policy.

  • Blog
  • Success Stories
  • Our Team
  • Our Principles
  • FAQ & Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms and Conditions
  • About Author
  • Subscribe
  • IELTS VIP Ambassador Program
  • Cookies Policy
© 2021 IELTS Advantage All rights reserved. Registered Company Number NI637423. Advantage Exam Preparation Limited. 4 Castleglen Park, Dundrum, County Down, BT33 0WL United Kingdom. The information on this site is for information purposes only. IELTS is a registered trademark of University of Cambridge, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia. This site and its owners are not affiliated, approved or endorsed by the University of Cambridge ESOL, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia. For full information please refer to our terms and conditions and disclaimer.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

SAVE & ACCEPT
wpDiscuz