Idioms and Common English Expressions
A short collection of English Expressions and Idioms that can help with getting a higher score on the IELTS: International English Language Testing System exam (in particular the IELTS speaking test):
A leopard can’t change its spots
An apple a day keeps the doctor away
An offer one can’t refuse
Anyway you slice it
Appearances can be deceiving
You can’t judge a book by its cover
As far as I can see
All in
At the end of their rope
Beggars can’t be choosers
Be right with you
Bet the farm
Bet your bottom dollar
Between you and me
Before you know it
Big brother is watching
Bite off more than they can chew
Bite the hands that feeds you
Boxed in a corner
Busy beaver
Busy bee
Busy work
Busier than a one armed paper hanger
Can do
Can’t hit the broad side of a barn
Can’t win them all
Can’t argue with that
Can’t be bothered
Can’t complain
Can’t cut the mustard
Can’t fight city hall
Can’t hold a candle to
Can’t judge a book by the cover
Can’t see farther than their nose
Come back to bite you
What goes around comes around
Changed your mind
Damned if you do, damned if you don’t
Fool me once, shame on you; Fool me twice shame on me.
Feel sorry for them
Get on their good side
Get on their bad side
Get more than you bargained for
Give two cents worth
Give another chance
Give a minute
Give them a heart attack
Give them the third degree
Given the green light
Good luck with that
Has their head stuck in the sand
Heads up!
Here you go
Having a hard time
Happy as a clam
If you can’t stand the heat, keep out of the kitchen
If you can’t beat them, join them
Can’t see the forest for the trees
Can’t take it with you
Could sell ice to an Eskimo
Count on the fingers of one hand
Cut loose
Draw them a picture
Spell it out
Don’t dare
Don’t know how they could sleep at night
How does that grab you?
Hair of the dog
Under their thumb
On a tight leash
Hold on a minute
I kid you not
I didn’t catch that
I didn’t get that
Keep a secret
Kick the can down the road
More than one can shake a stick at
Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
Nice work if you can get it!
On track
On vacation
On welfare
On wheels
On your six
Once and for all
Once bitten, twice shy
Once the dust has settled
Once-in-a-lifetime-chance
Once in a blue moon
Once in a while
One after another
One at a time
One and only
One can’t run before they can walk
Open a can of worms
It is the least one can do
They can dish it out, but they can’t take it
They were taken to the cleaners
Take it from me
Two can play that game
When pigs can fly
When hell freezes over
Will cross that bridge when we get to it
You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar
You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make them drink
You can run, but you can’t hide
You can’t fight city hall
You can’t take it with you
You can’t win them all
You can say that again
You can’t make an omelette without breaking a few eggs
You can’t miss it
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks
You never can tell
Note: If anyone can think of any others please add them in the comment section.
Green-Eco-EV News Reporting by Ken Green Burridge
Kenneth Burridge test-drives electric Nissan LEAF in Melbourne Australia
EV of the Year Judge, independent green journalist, photographer, author and sustainability activist that has published over 1000 articles. Mr Burridge’s travels have taken him to over 40 countries and 300+ major cities. He is originally from the USA, but has been residing in Australia for the last seven years. Connect to Ken Burridge on: Twitter, facebook, Google+, Linked in or website
