Intermediate IELTS® Idioms.
a stake in
(idiom/phrase) Having a part or share of something, such as a business, that will bring
you money or other advantages if it succeeds.
ahead of the game
(idiom/phrase) To be more advanced in an area or activity when compared to peers.
be in charge
(idiom/phrase) To serve as the leader of something.
be in credit
(idiom/phrase) To have more money in an account than what you owe.
be in the black
(idiom/phrase) To have money in your account and not be in debt.
be in the red
(idiom/phrase) To be in debt towards the bank because you spent too much.
be on the rocks
(idiom/phrase) To have a hard time and have a high possibility of failure.
break even
(idiom/phrase) To have no losses or gains from an investment.
change hands
(idiom/phrase) To give to a new owner; to change ownership.
claim to fame
(idiom/phrase) The reason that someone or something became well-known or famous.
conflict of interest
(idiom/phrase) A situation in which an individual has two roles, desires, jobs, etc. that
cannot be treated fairly and equally because one has a bigger personal affect than the
other.
cut corners
(idiom/phrase) To do something in a way that saves time or money, especially if it is
done improperly.
cut your losses
(idiom/phrase) Abandon or quit something to avoid a worse situation.
do more harm than good
(idiom/phrase) To be damaging, meaning well but ultimately not being helpful.
door to door
(idiom/phrase) Dealing with going from house to house, or place to place.
every cloud has a silver lining
(idiom/phrase) No matter how sad or bad a situation may be, it has a good aspect that
may not be immediately apparent.
flood the market
(idiom/phrase) To overproduce and sell at such a quantity that the price of the product
drops.
get in touch
(idiom/phrase) To try to make contact with someone.
get rid of
a stake in
(idiom/phrase) Having a part or share of something, such as a business, that will bring
you money or other advantages if it succeeds.
ahead of the game
(idiom/phrase) To be more advanced in an area or activity when compared to peers.
be in charge
(idiom/phrase) To serve as the leader of something.
be in credit
(idiom/phrase) To have more money in an account than what you owe.
be in the black
(idiom/phrase) To have money in your account and not be in debt.
be in the red
(idiom/phrase) To be in debt towards the bank because you spent too much.
be on the rocks
(idiom/phrase) To have a hard time and have a high possibility of failure.
break even
(idiom/phrase) To have no losses or gains from an investment.
change hands
(idiom/phrase) To give to a new owner; to change ownership.
claim to fame
(idiom/phrase) The reason that someone or something became well-known or famous.
conflict of interest
(idiom/phrase) A situation in which an individual has two roles, desires, jobs, etc. that
cannot be treated fairly and equally because one has a bigger personal affect than the
other.
cut corners
(idiom/phrase) To do something in a way that saves time or money, especially if it is
done improperly.
cut your losses
(idiom/phrase) Abandon or quit something to avoid a worse situation.
do more harm than good
(idiom/phrase) To be damaging, meaning well but ultimately not being helpful.
door to door
(idiom/phrase) Dealing with going from house to house, or place to place.
every cloud has a silver lining
(idiom/phrase) No matter how sad or bad a situation may be, it has a good aspect that
may not be immediately apparent.
flood the market
(idiom/phrase) To overproduce and sell at such a quantity that the price of the product
drops.
get in touch
(idiom/phrase) To try to make contact with someone.
get rid of
