1. Soaring High: Unravelling 'On Cloud Nine'
📌 Have you ever been so happy that you felt like you were floating? That's precisely what "on cloud nine" means. This phrase is used to express extreme happiness or euphoria.
â–¶ Imagine you've just got a promotion, and you say, "I'm on cloud nine!" This means you're ecstatic about the promotion. Or, "When they announced my name as the winner, I was on cloud nine." Here, you're describing the joy of winning.
â• WHERE TO USE IN IELTS:
Speaking Part 2: This section usually requires you to speak for 1-2 minutes on a given topic. If the topic is about a time you had to make a difficult decision, you could use the phrase "bite the bullet." Example: "I remember when I had to decide whether to take a high-paying job that I didn't love or a lower-paying job that I was passionate about. I decided to bite the bullet and chose the job I loved, even though it paid less."
👉 Similar expressions include "over the moon" and "on top of the world", but "on cloud nine" truly captures that floaty, elated feeling. Use this phrase when you're bursting with happiness!
2. Cease the Fight: Deciphering 'Throw in the Towel'
📌 If you're a fan of boxing movies, you might guess this one! "Throw in the towel" is an idiom derived from the boxing ring, but it's used in everyday language too.
▶ To "throw in the towel" means to give up, surrender, or admit defeat. It's used when someone decides to stop struggling with a difficult task or situation.
Consider this: "After many unsuccessful attempts, he threw in the towel and asked for help." Here, someone stopped trying to do something on their own and asked for assistance. Or, "If the project continues to have issues, we may have to throw in the towel." In this case, if the problems persist, you might have to give up on the project.
â•Â WHERE TO USE IN IELTS:
Writing Task 2: This task asks you to write an essay on a given topic. If the topic is about delaying decisions or avoiding problems, you could use "beat around the bush." Example: "Some politicians often beat around the bush instead of directly addressing the issues at hand, which can cause frustration among voters."
👉 The phrase "give up the ghost" has a similar meaning, but "throw in the towel" specifically implies stopping a struggle. It's perfect for those situations when it's wiser to stop and reassess.
3. Last Minute Moves: Interpreting 'At the Eleventh Hour'
📌 If you're one for suspense and last-minute actions, "at the eleventh hour" will be an exciting addition to your vocabulary.
▶ This phrase refers to doing something at the last possible moment. It's often used when an action or decision occurs late, usually just before a deadline or when time is running out.
For example: "She submitted her assignment at the eleventh hour." Here, the assignment was handed in just before the deadline. Or, "They reached an agreement at the eleventh hour." This means the agreement was made at the last possible moment.
â•Â WHERE TO USE IN IELTS:
Speaking Part 3: This section involves a discussion with the examiner. If asked about a time you were extremely happy, you could use "on cloud nine." Example: "When I graduated from university, I was on cloud nine. It felt like all my hard work had finally paid off."
👉 Phrases like "in the nick of time" or "just in time" share similar sentiments, but "at the eleventh hour" emphasizes the last moment nature of the action. It's a great phrase to describe those down-to-the-wire situations!
4. Bracing for Impact: Understanding 'Bite the Bullet'
📌 Our next idiom, "bite the bullet", is not about dental strength or ammunition, but about courage in the face of unpleasant situations.
▶ "Bite the bullet" is used when someone has to endure a painful or difficult situation by facing it bravely. It comes from a historical practice where soldiers would bite on a bullet during surgery to cope with the pain.
For example, "I was nervous about the dental appointment, but I knew I had to bite the bullet." Here, you're expressing that you had to face the situation despite your fear. Or, "She decided to bite the bullet and ask for a raise." In this context, despite the discomfort of asking, the person bravely decided to do it.
â•Â WHERE TO USE IN IELTS:
Writing Task 1: If you're asked to write a formal letter about a problem you had and how it was resolved at the last moment, you can use "at the eleventh hour." Example: "The issue with my booking was resolved at the eleventh hour, just before my departure date."
👉 "Bite the bullet" is similar to "grin and bear it" or "face the music", but it often implies courage in the face of physical discomfort or pain. Use it when you or someone else faces a difficult situation head-on.
5. Avoiding Directness: Unpacking 'Beat Around the Bush'
📌 Our final phrase this week is all about circumvention: "beat around the bush". But it's not about bushwhacking adventures, it's about a common form of communication.
▶ "To beat around the bush" means to avoid talking about something directly, often because it's uncomfortable or awkward. Instead of getting to the point, the speaker dances around the topic.
Consider these examples: "Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you really think." Here, you're asking someone to be direct with their opinion. Or, "He kept beating around the bush, but never actually proposed the solution." In this case, someone avoided presenting a solution directly.
â•Â WHERE TO USE IN IELTS:
Speaking Part 1: If you're asked about a time you gave up on something, you could use "throw in the towel." Example: "I tried learning the guitar for a while, but it was more challenging than I had expected, so I decided to throw in the towel."
▶ Phrases like "evade the issue" or "sidestep the question" share similar meanings, but "beat around the bush" captures the essence of avoiding a topic in a roundabout manner. Remember this idiom for those times when people aren't being as direct as you'd like!
Remember, using idioms not only enriches your English vocabulary, but also adds colour to your language and makes you sound more natural. Keep practising these idioms and stay tuned for more in our next newsletter. Happy learning!
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