Many IELTS candidates walk into the Speaking test sounding like a walking textbook. They use perfectly grammatical sentences and high-level academic vocabulary, yet they fail to achieve a Band 7 or 8. Why? Because they lack the natural flow and idiomatic language that examiners look for in the Lexical Resource criteria.
The biggest misconception is that you need to use "big words" to impress the examiner. In reality, native speakers use a mix of phrasal verbs and idioms to express themselves. If you only use formal language, you sound robotic and unnatural. To score high, you must demonstrate that you can use less common and idiomatic items effectively.
The Power of Phrasal Verbs in Part 1
In the first part of the test, the questions are personal and informal. This is the perfect time to drop the formal "academic" tone. Instead of saying you "discontinued" a hobby, you should say you gave it up. Instead of saying you "tolerate" a noisy neighbor, you put up with them.
Essential Phrasal Verbs for Daily Topics
- Get along with: Use this when talking about friends or family.
- Example: "I really get along with my brother; we have so much in common."
- Wind down: A great alternative to "relax."
- Example: "After a long day at work, I usually wind down by listening to some jazz."
- Look forward to: Perfect for discussing future plans.
- Example: "I’m really looking forward to starting my Master's degree next year."
While you focus on natural speech here, don't forget that your formal tone needs to stay sharp for your IELTS Writing Tests, where these informal phrasal verbs are usually avoided.
Using Idioms Without Sounding Forced
The "idiom trap" is real. Many students memorize a list of 50 idioms and try to squeeze them into every sentence. This often leads to "idiom salad," where the expressions don't actually fit the context. To use idioms successfully, you must ensure they are contextually relevant and used sparingly.
High-Impact Idioms for Part 2 and 3
- Once in a blue moon: Use this for things you rarely do.
- Question: "How often do you go to the cinema?"
- Answer: "To be honest, once in a blue moon. I prefer streaming movies at home."
- A piece of cake: Use this when describing a task that was easy.
- Example: "I thought the exam would be difficult, but it turned out to be a piece of cake."
- Snowed under: Perfect for talking about work or study pressure.
- Example: "Lately, I've been snowed under with assignments, so I haven't had much free time."
Comparing Natural vs. Robotic Language
To help you see the difference, look at the table below. Notice how the "Natural Answer" uses phrasal verbs and idioms to create a more authentic tone.
| Topic | Robotic/Formal Answer | Natural/Idiomatic Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Hobbies | I enjoy participating in football. | I'm really into football; I never miss out on a match. |
| Hometown | My city possesses many old buildings. | My city is steeped in history and has some truly iconic landmarks. |
| Work | I completed my tasks very quickly. | I flew through my work; it was a walk in the park. |
| Travel | I want to visit many different countries. | I've got the travel bug and want to head off to South America. |
Practical IELTS Examples
Let’s look at how you can integrate these into a full response.
IELTS Speaking Part 2 Prompt: Describe a time you were very busy.
"I’d like to talk about a period last year when I was preparing for my final exams. I was completely snowed under with revision, and I had to cut down on my social life entirely. At first, I thought I wouldn't get through it all, but I decided to knuckle down and focus. It wasn't all plain sailing, but in the end, passing the exams was a piece of cake because I had prepared so well."
Three Tips for Success
- Don't overcomplicate it: One or two well-placed idioms are better than five used incorrectly.
- Record yourself: Listen back to see if your phrasal verbs sound natural or if you are pausing too long to remember them.
- Learn in clusters: Group phrasal verbs by topic (e.g., travel, work, or emotions) rather than just an alphabetical list.
Conclusion
Mastering idioms and phrasal verbs isn't about memorizing a dictionary; it's about improving your range to match how English is actually spoken. By swapping out stiff, formal verbs for natural phrasal verbs and using idioms to add color to your stories, you will find your fluency increases and your examiner's interest grows. Keep practicing, stay natural, and that Band 7+ will be well within your reach!