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Do you struggle to decide whether to use idioms or phrasal verbs in your IELTS Speaking test? Are they essential in IELTS Speaking test? If so, when should I use them? We will answer all these and much more in this article. Both idioms and phrasal verbs play a crucial role in making your speech sound natural, fluent and engaging. It helps you express ideas more effectively and boost your lexical resource score. Let us take a closer look at idioms vs phrasal verbs, how and when to use them, their importance and tips to incorporate them effectively.
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What Are Idioms and Phrasal Verbs?
Idioms are phrases or a group of words that have a non-literal meaning. Their meaning cannot be deduced from the individual words they are made up of. They are fixed expressions with figurative meanings. The word idiom comes from the Greek word idíōma which means peculiar phraseology. Some common examples of idioms are: ‘break the ice’, ‘once in a blue moon’, ‘a piece of cake’, be under the weather’, etc.
Phrasal verbs are phrases that combine a verb with an adverb, preposition, or both, to give a different meaning. They are very common in English and are used widely in daily conversation. Some common phrasal verbs are: take over, put it, turn on, give up etc.
| Feature | Idioms | Phrasal Verbs |
| Definition | They are fixed expressions whose meanings cannot be directly inferred from their individual words. | They are verbs combined with prepositions or adverbs, or both, whose meanings differ from the base verb. |
| Word Order | The words in idioms have a fixed position and cannot be changed. | Some phrasal verbs allow the object to be placed between the verb and the preposition or adverb (turn off the light, turn the light off) |
| Usage | They are used in both formal and informal contexts. | They are commonly used in an informal context and in spoken language. |
| Examples | Spill the beans (reveal a secret)
My friend spilled the beans about the surprise party I was planning for my sister. |
Look after (take care of)
My uncle looked after me when I was a child. |
Importance of Idioms and Phrasal Verbs in IELTS Speaking
1: Most university students ........................ on campus in their first year.
Idioms and phrasal verbs add flair to a conversation. Using them demonstrates an in-depth knowledge of the language and vocabulary. Saying “I gave up smoking” instead of “I stopped smoking”, or “I was on cloud nine” instead of “I was very happy” sounds more advanced. They add depth and personality to your speech.
Native speakers frequently use idioms and phrasal verbs in their conversations. Using them correctly makes your speech sound more natural and fluent. This can boost your lexical score resource as it shows your ability to use a wide range of vocabulary.
Even though idioms and phrasal verbs are a great way to express your language fluency, care must be taken to use them in the right context and meaning. Misusing them can lower your score as your speech may sound unnatural or confuse the examiners.
Also, be careful not to overuse them. There are plenty of idioms and phrasal verbs and you might get tempted to use several of them in your speech. Doing so will make you sound forced, which in turn can affect your scores negatively.
Phrasal verbs are more flexible as they can be used in both formal and informal context. Idioms are usually used in informal context and are not suitable for academic or business settings.
| Context | Idioms | Phrasal Verbs |
| Formal Writing | Avoid using idioms. | Use cautiously |
| Formal Speaking | Use sparingly | Use moderately |
| Informal Speaking (IELTS, Daily Conversations) | Use naturally | Use naturally |
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Start Your IELTS Journey Today!Which Is Better for IELTS Speaking?
Both idioms and phrasal verbs are useful for IELTS speaking, but phrasal verbs are better as they are more flexible. Native speakers usually use a lot of phrasal verbs in their daily conversations as it is suitable in both formal and informal situations.
Idioms are also a great way to add flair and impact to your response, but using them in the wrong context can sound forced or unnatural. Some idioms may not fit well into the topic and this can lower your score. Phrasal verbs are easier to use as they fit more naturally and the risk of misusing them is less.
It is better to use only 1 or 2 idioms per answer whereas phrasal verbs can be used more frequently. They improve fluency and lexical resources. Both idioms and phrasal verbs should be practiced in context and not memorized.
Common Phrasal Verbs and Idioms Used in the IELTS Speaking Test
| Phrasal Verbs | Meaning | Example |
| cut down on | to reduce | I cut down on sugar to lose weight. |
| catch up | to do something you missed on | I worked late last night, so I need to catch up on sleep |
| give up | quit a habit | He gave up smoking after the birth of his daughter. |
| run out | have nothing left | I ran out of money by the end of the month |
| take after | to be similar to an older member of your family in appearance or character | I am a perfectionist and take after my father. |
| Idioms | Meanings | Examples |
| Burn the midnight oil | To work late into the night | I had to burn the midnight oil to complete the project. |
| Break the ice | To make people feel comfortable | He is very good at breaking the ice while meeting new people. |
| At the drop of a hat | To do something immediately and without hesitation | My dad takes decisions at the drop of a hat. |
| Go the extra mile | To make more effort than needed | I decided to go the extra mile to crack my interview. |
| Raining cats and dogs | Raining heavily | I couldn’t make it to work yesterday as it was raining cats and dogs. |
Tips for Using Idioms and Phrasal Verbs Effectively
If used correctly, Idioms and phrasal verbs can boost your lexical resource score. Here are a few tips to use them effectively in your IELTS Speaking test:
Idioms
- Learn idioms that are commonly used in English. Understand their meaning and the context in which these are used.
- Use idioms when talking about personal experiences and stories. Idioms work best in IELTS Speaking test Part 2 and Part 3.
- Avoid overusing idioms or forcing them into answers. Use only one or two idioms per response. Do not use them in every sentence.
- Practice using idioms in your daily conversations.
- Record yourself to check if you sound natural.
- Listen to native speakers and understand how they incorporate idioms in their daily conversations.
Phrasal Verbs
- Learn the common phrasal verbs used in speaking. Focus on phrasal verbs relevant to common IELTS topics (e.g., education, environment, technology).
- Phrasal verbs work best when sharing experiences, so use them in Part 2 and Part 3.
- Understand which adverbs or prepositions go with each verb. Misusing them can lower your score.
- Practice using them in different tenses.
- Learn them in context by listening to native speakers.
Practice idioms and phrasal verbs by watching movies or TV shows and listening to podcasts. IELTS sample questions are also a great way of practicing. Try to include idioms and phrasal verbs that go with each topic. Practicing with a peer helps analyse your language and get instant feedback. At Entri, we provide mentor support that can enhance your speaking skills and get proper feedback.
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Common Mistakes to Avoid (150-200 words)
- Using idioms and phrasal verbs in the wrong context. Learn the meaning and understand the context before using them.
- Overuse of idioms or phrasal verbs. This can make your speech sound unnatural and lower your score. Use them where they fit naturally.
- Using incorrect grammar and tense with phrasal verbs. Understand the word order in separable phrasal verbs to avoid mistakes.
- Memorizing phrasal verbs and idioms without practicing them in context.
Conclusion
Idioms and phrasal verbs both play a significant role in IELTS Speaking test as they can boost your score in the lexical resource and fluency categories, but phrasal verbs are generally more versatile and safer to use. Understand their meanings and practice them in context to sound natural. Idioms and phrasal verbs are great resources to add flair to your speech, grab the attention of the examiner and achieve your desired band score!
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