Idioms add color and fluency to your English, making them valuable for IELTS Speaking and Writing. Here’s how some nationality-based idioms can be used in an IELTS context:

1. Take French Leave (To leave without permission)

• Speaking (Part 1): “In my previous job, some employees would take French leave, which annoyed the manager.”
• Writing (Task 2 – Work Ethics): “Companies should discourage employees from taking French leave, as it disrupts productivity.”

2. Go Dutch (To split the bill)

• Speaking (Part 1 – Money): “When I go out with friends, we usually go Dutch to keep things fair.”
• Writing (Task 2 – Gender Roles): “Some argue that going Dutch on dates promotes equality, while others prefer traditional customs.”

3. Dutch Courage (Confidence gained from alcohol)

• Speaking (Part 2 – Describe a nervous moment): “Before my IELTS Speaking test, I joked that I needed Dutch courage, but of course, I stayed sober!”
• Writing (Task 2 – Social Issues): “Relying on Dutch courage before social events may lead to unhealthy drinking habits.”

4. It’s all Greek to me (Something is incomprehensible)

• Speaking (Part 3 – Education): “Advanced mathematics is all Greek to me, but I admire those who understand it.”
• Writing (Task 1 – Describing a complex graph): “At first glance, the data was all Greek to me, but after analyzing it, the trends became clear.”

5. Chinese Whispers (Rumors or distorted information)

• Speaking (Part 3 – Media): “Fake news spreads like Chinese whispers, making it hard to know the truth.”
• Writing (Task 2 – Communication): “Misinformation in the digital age acts like Chinese whispers, altering facts as they spread.”

6. A Mexican Standoff (A deadlock where no side can win)

• Speaking (Part 3 – Negotiations): “The debate turned into a Mexican standoff, with neither side willing to compromise.”
• Writing (Task 2 – Conflict Resolution): “Diplomatic talks sometimes reach a Mexican standoff, requiring mediation.”

7. When in Rome (do as the Romans do) (Adapting to local customs)

• Speaking (Part 1 – Travel): “I always try local food when abroad—when in Rome, right?”
• Writing (Task 2 – Cultural Adaptation): “The saying ‘When in Rome’ suggests that respecting local traditions fosters better integration.”

8. Talk for England (To talk excessively)

• Speaking (Part 1 – Friends): “My best friend can talk for England, but I love her enthusiasm!”
• Writing (Task 2 – Communication Skills): “While some people talk for England, effective communication requires listening too.”

9. Indian Summer (UK) (Unexpected warm weather in autumn)

• Speaking (Part 2 – Describe a weather change): “Last October, we had an Indian summer, with sunny days after a cold spell.”
• Writing (Task 1 – Describing climate trends): “The graph shows an unusual Indian summer, with temperatures rising in late autumn.”

Can we use idioms in IELTS?

Using idioms naturally can boost your Lexical Resource score in IELTS Speaking and Writing. However, avoid overusing them—one or two per response is enough.

Yes, you can use idioms in IELTS Writing, but with caution. Here’s how to do it effectively without losing marks:

1. IELTS Writing Task 1 (Academic/General) – Avoid Idioms

• Reason: Task 1 requires factual, neutral language (describing graphs, charts, or letters). Idioms are too informal.
• Exception: Only in General Training letters (if informal, e.g., to a friend).
  • “The weather here has been crazy—we’re having an Indian summer in October!”

2. IELTS Writing Task 2 – Use Idioms Sparingly

• Best for: Opinion essays, discussion essays, and problem-solution essays where a natural tone fits.
• How to use:
  • Formal idioms (e.g., “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”) work better than slang.
  • Example:
    • “Some argue that immigrants should adapt to local customs—after all, when in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
    • “Misinformation spreads like Chinese whispers, making it hard to distinguish fact from fiction.”

3. Rules for Using Idioms in IELTS Writing

✔ Use only 1-2 idioms in Task 2 (overuse = too informal).
✔ Avoid phrasal verbs & slang idioms (e.g., “hit the books” is too casual).
✔ Make sure the meaning is clear from context.
❌ Never force an idiom—if it doesn’t fit naturally, don’t use it.

Good vs. Bad Examples

✅ Good (Formal & Clear):

• “Governments and corporations often reach a Mexican standoff in climate negotiations.”
• “Learning a new language can feel like it’s all Greek to me at first.”

❌ Bad (Too Informal/Slangy):

• “Politicians just beat around the bush instead of solving problems.” (Too casual)
• “Students should hit the books before exams.” (Too conversational)

Final Tip

Idioms can help in Task 2 (if used correctly) but hurt your score if misused. When in doubt, keep it formal!