SpeakingGuide
Do You Need Idioms in IELTS Speaking?
Not for band 6. From band 7, the Speaking descriptors mention idiomatic items. No set number of idioms is required. This guide shows the wording band by band and how to learn idioms without a list.
What the descriptors say about idioms
Collocation, including idiomatic expressions, is one thing the Speaking lexical resource criterion looks at source: ielts.org. The band wording runs as follows.
| Band | Lexical resource wording |
|---|---|
| 6 | "Vocabulary use may be inappropriate but meaning is clear." |
| 7 | "Some ability to use less common and idiomatic items and an awareness of style and collocation is evident though inappropriacies occur." |
| 8 | "Skilful use of less common and idiomatic items despite occasional inaccuracies in word choice and collocation." |
| 9 | "Sustained use of accurate and idiomatic language." |
The wording for band 6 and below does not mention idiomatic items. So you do not need idioms for band 6. From band 7, the descriptors mention them. At band 7 the wording is "some ability", not a number.
What idiomatic language includes
An idiom is a phrase whose meaning is not the meaning of its separate words, such as "over the moon".
A phrasal verb is a verb with a small word after it, such as "pick up". Phrasal verbs often have idiomatic meaning source: ielts.org.
So idiomatic language is wider than colourful phrases. If you already use common phrasal verbs well, you already use some of it.
Use idioms only when you are sure of them
Idioms in Speaking can be helpful, but they are difficult to use and do not always sound natural source: IDP.
To reach band 7 and higher, you need to show the examiner that you can use idiomatic language. Be careful not to overuse idioms, and make sure each one matches the topic. Avoid idioms that are overused or sound forced source: ielts.org. That article was first published by IDP.
At band 7, the wording is "some ability", and "inappropriacies occur" source: ielts.org. The article puts the need more strongly than this. So show some idiomatic language, and do not force it.
How to learn idioms without a list
A list gives you the phrase but not the situation. These steps give you both:
- Notice an idiom in something you hear or read, together with the sentence it was in.
- Check its meaning and whether it sounds formal, friendly or too casual.
- Say the whole sentence aloud in your own words, about your own life.
Then use the idiom only where it fits the topic and keeps your speech natural. Listen to how native speakers use idioms, and ask what an expression means source: ielts.org.
If you do not know an idiom for an idea, say the idea in plain words. The criterion also assesses your "ability to use paraphrase" source: ielts.org. IELTS paraphrasing and synonyms covers it, and the Speaking lexical resource guide covers the whole criterion. The Speaking marking criteria hub links a guide for each criterion, and the Speaking improvement plan shows where to start.
The criterion wording comes from ielts.org's Speaking key assessment criteria and Speaking band descriptors, which carry no date. The advice comes from IDP's Understand IELTS scores page and the ielts.org article How to use idioms in the IELTS Speaking test. The Writing answer below comes from ielts.org's Writing key assessment criteria and its Academic Writing format page. All were last checked on 14 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How many idioms should I use?
None is set. Idioms are only one part of what band 7 asks for. A few that fit can help show it.
Do idioms count in Writing?
Yes. The Writing lexical resource criterion assesses "the control and use of collocations, idiomatic expressions and sophisticated phrasing" source: ielts.org. Academic Writing is asked to be in an academic or semi-formal/neutral style source: ielts.org, so an informal idiom may not fit. Lexical resource in Writing explains the criterion.
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