Buzz
In the 4 criteria of the IELTS Speaking test, we cannot overlook the Vocabulary criterion. Besides requiring candidates to achieve a certain amount of vocabulary, examiners also evaluate how we use uncommon, difficult words, especially idioms. This article will provide you with 8 common and easy-to-use idioms in English (foolproof idiom in IELTS Speaking) to help you improve your speaking skills.1. to be over the moon
This idiom is used when you feel extremely excited and happy, and can be used to replace common words candidates often use like “Very/super happy, very pleased,…”
VD: Today I’m so over the moon as I have overcome my stage fright and made a speech in front of the whole school. (Hôm nay tôi rất vui vì đã vượt qua nỗi sợ hãi trên sân khấu và có bài phát biểu trước toàn trường.)
2. gets someone's goat
Apart from expressions like 'upset' or 'furious', you can also say that something seems to 'get someone's goat' – as if it's pushing us against the wall. Expressing this idiom suggests that we are extremely angry and irritated with something or someone.
VD: The laptop is really driving me up the wall with such slow speed. I can’t get any work done. (Máy tính xách tay thực sự đẩy tôi vào tường với tốc độ chậm như vậy. Tôi không thể hoàn thành bất kỳ công việc nào.)
3. lend a hand to someone
If you translate each word of this idiom without understanding the author's intention, it would mean 'Give someone a hand.' However, the usage of this idiom is much more nuanced because if you 'lend a hand to someone', it means you are willing to help and support someone.
VD: My boys are always willing to give me a hand every time I face difficulties in life. (Các chàng trai của tôi luôn sẵn sàng giúp đỡ tôi mỗi khi tôi gặp khó khăn trong cuộc sống.)
4. stay positive
During conversations, there are times when we have to face someone who is feeling down or discouraged due to various issues (love, work, finances,…). To help them become more positive, in your words of encouragement, use the idiom “keep one’s chin up” as a way to advise them to stay optimistic, not be disheartened, and to continue striving.
VD: Whenever I’m feeling depressed, my father would tell me to keep my chin up and stay positive. (Bất cứ khi nào tôi cảm thấy chán nản, bố tôi sẽ bảo tôi hãy ngẩng cao đầu và luôn lạc quan.)
5. feeling under the weather
When someone says they are feeling “under the weather”, it’s not literally about being under the weather. The speaker actually means to express that they are feeling unwell, possibly due to weather conditions or other factors like pressure from work, studies, …
VD: I’m feeling a bit under the weather today so I can’t fully concentrate on the lecture. (Hôm nay tôi cảm thấy hơi khó chịu nên không thể hoàn toàn tập trung vào bài giảng.)
6. tired of
This is a common idiom that can be easily applied in spoken English. If you say you’re “tired of” something or someone, it means you are thoroughly fed up with it, especially after enduring it or what that person has been doing for a long time.
VD: I’m fed up with the way she deliberately takes my belongings without my consent. (Tôi chán cái cách cô ấy tự ý lấy đồ của tôi mà không được sự đồng ý của tôi.)
7. a silver lining
This is an idiom that is also used with a meaning equivalent to the Vietnamese saying “Trong cái rủi có cái may”, referring to a situation that may initially seem unfavorable but can actually bring better-than-expected results that one may not realize.
VD: He treated you poorly so the fact that he left you first might be a blessing in disguise. (Anh ấy đối xử tệ bạc với bạn nên việc anh ấy bỏ bạn trước có thể là một điều may mắn trá hình.)
8. take shortcuts
When someone wants to “take shortcuts”, it means they want to take quicker actions or profit more, but without being honest or careful. Unlike the phrase “take a shortcut”, which also means taking a shortcut, “cut corners” usually carries a more negative connotation criticizing someone's work methods.
VD: I always try my best to complete the tasks without cutting any corners. (Tôi luôn cố gắng hết sức để hoàn thành nhiệm vụ mà không bỏ sót bất kỳ góc nào.)
