IELTS Speaking – Compilation of Idioms on the Topic Language and Communication
Continuing with the IDIOMS IELTS Speaking topics, in this article, azVocab will bring you another equally interesting topic: Language & Communication.
LANGUAGE
Language is an incredible tool that helps people around the world connect and communicate with each other. This topic has recently appeared frequently in the IELTS Speaking test. Therefore, azVocab has compiled Idioms on this topic for candidates to refer to.
IDIOMS | MEANING | EXAMPLE |
Be lost for words | to be so shocked, surprised, full of admiration, etc. that you cannot speak | Mary was lost for words when she was awarded the prize. |
Beyond words | to such a great degree that one has been left speechless | After our parents offered to help us buy our first home, we were appreciative beyond words. |
Eat one’s words | to retract, regret, or feel foolish about what one has previously said | He said I wouldn’t be able to pass the exam, but I proved him wrong and made him eat his words. |
Have a word with someone | have a brief conversation with someone | I just had a word with Stu and he said he’ll join us tonight. |
Have words with someone | to argue, quarrel, or speak angrily with someone | John’s having words with Danny over the phone bills he’s been racking up. |
In plain English | in clear, straightforward, and uncomplicated English | I wish these software agreements would be written in plain English, rather than this legalese gobbledygook. |
It goes without saying | refers to something that is so obvious that it is needless to say it | It goes without saying that you have to wake early tomorrow morning if you want to participate in the marathon competition. |
It’s all Greek to me | I can’t understand it at all | I’ve read this book but it’s all Greek to me. |
Mince one’s words | speak vaguely or indirectly | Please, don’t mince words and tell me what you think of the situation. |
Speak the same language | have the same ideas, tastes and attitudes as someone | A: “I say we stop here and get some ice cream.” B: “You and I are speaking the same language.” |
Talk a mile a minute | speak very fast | I can never follow everything he’s tries to say. He talks a mile a minute. |
Talk in circles | keep repeating the same points and not arriving at any conclusions | I don’t know why some politicians talk in circles about important issues. |
Talk is cheap | it is easier to say you will do something than to actually do it | My elder brother promised to help me with my homework, but talk is cheap. |
Mind/Watch one’s language | be careful about what you say in order not to upset or offend somebody | You mind your language, young lady, or you’ll be grounded for the weekend! |
What’s the magic word? | a question posed to someone (typically a child) when they have asked for something without saying “please.” | Bobby: Can I have another candy, mummy? Mother: What’s the magic word? Bobby: Please. |
Words fail me | expresses shock, surprise or dismay, especially when one cannot find words to express ones thoughts | A: “So what did you think of Olive’s pink outfit?” B: “Words fail me. I’ve never seen anything quite like it!” |
COMMUNICATION
In the modern world of information technology, people have more and more communication methods, and the forms of communication are also more diverse. Let’s go through these Idioms on the Communication topic with azVocab!
IDIOMS | MEANING | EXAMPLE |
Beat around the bush | avoid or delay talking about a subject directly | Stop beating around the bush and answer my question. |
Beside the point | it is irrelevant or off topic | What you think about the new product line is beside the point. What matters is that our customers like it. |
Bite one’s tongue | stop saying something that will likely get in trouble | It’s usually best to bite your tongue instead of getting into political conversations at work. |
Bring someone up to speed | provide someone with the latest information on a certain subject | After my week off, I met with my boss so she could bring me up to speed. |
Come out of your shell | to be less shy and more communicative | After a few days in the camp, Michael came out of his shell and began to play with the other boys. |
Drop someone a line | to write someone a letter, especially a short informal one | Just drop me a line when you decide on a date. |
Give (someone) the lowdown (on something) | to provide someone with specific or comprehensive details about someone, something, or some situation | Michael called his friend in the News Company and asked if he could meet him for dinner. He wanted to get the lowdown on the new Mayor. |
Hear (something) through the grapevine | to hear or learn of something through an informal means of communication, especially gossip | David called his boss and wanted to know if it was true that the company was moving to another city. Someone heard it on the grapevine and we want to know if it is true. |
Hot off the press | newly circulating, as of a bit of news or gossip | Did you hear about the company? It is going in to liquidation, it’s literally hot of the press. My friend in the newspaper rang me. |
In black and white | in writing, especially an agreement, contract, or other formal document | It’s there in black and white that employees caught taking office supplies will be fired immediately. |
In the loop | informed and/or actively participating in something, such as an ongoing discussion or project, typically involving many people | My manager did not want to go to the meeting but told me to keep him informed, so I kept him in the loop with what happened. |
Keep one posted | to continue to inform someone about something so that they have current information | Congratulations on getting that interview! Keep me posted on how it goes! |
Let the cat out of the bag | to tell someone a secret or to disclose some information that perhaps you should not have | My brother told me by text that he was coming home for Christmas to surprise my parents. I let the cat out of the bag when I showed the text to my mother. |
Spill the beans | to reveal something that was meant to be a secret | We had everything organized for Bruce’s surprise party, but Kate accidentally spilled the beans to him at work. |
Spread like wildfire | when people gossip usually the information, fact or fiction, goes from one person to another very quickly | He asked David to stop the rumour as these things can spread like wildfire. |
Be like talking to a brick wall | to be completely ignored or disregarded by someone | I tried to get my son to tell me about his new girlfriend, but it was like talking to a brick wall. |
Touch base | to contact someone to update them or receive an update from them | I was just calling to touch base since it’s been a few weeks since we last spoke. |
Keep something under one’s hat | to keep (something) secret | Keep it under your hat, but I’m getting married next week. |
Lay/put one’s cards on the table | to be honest about your feelings and intentions | I thought it was time I laid my cards on the table, so I told him that I had no intention of marrying him. |
Speak volumes | it makes an opinion, characteristic, or situation very clear without the use of words | She said very little but her face spoke volumes. |
Tell tales | to share secrets, often knowing that doing so will cause problems for someone else | Here’s a tip: don’t tell tales about your co-workers if you want to have any friends here. |
Above is a compilation of all the Idioms on the Language and Communication topic that the azVocab team has gathered and compiled. Hopefully, this will be one of the tools that will help candidates in the upcoming IELTS Speaking test!