IELTS Hacks: Commonly Misused Expressions You Need to Get Right

Are you preparing with an IELTS Academic review course? Want to enhance your training experience and raise your chances of IELTS success higher? Study up on idiomatic expressions!

Using idioms is a simple but effective way of demonstrating your mastery of the English language. It adds variety to writings and speeches and builds rapport with one’s audience—provided, of course, that the application of the idioms are on-point. Below are five Expressions that non-native English speakers often misuse. Make sure you use them correctly.

     1.    Got off scot-free

How most people use it: got off scotch-free/scott-free

“Scot-free” is an adverb. It means to get away with doing something mischievous, dangerous, immoral, or illegal without any injury or punishment. “Scotch-free” and “scott-free” are misspellings of this expression. Keep these in mind whenever you use the expression during your online IELTS review sessions.

     2.    Buck naked

How most people use it: butt naked

Here’s the thing: “butt naked” is not necessarily incorrect.

It’s just a newer version of the expression “buck naked,” which means “completely naked.” Plus, both versions are slang terms. It would be best to avoid using the expression if you’re taking the IELTS Academic exam. If you do feel the need to use this term, use its more conventional version “buck naked.”

      3.    Just deserts

How most people use it: just desserts or just deserves

“Just deserts” means “that which is deserved.” It’s one of the last ways the obsolete meaning of the word “desert”—something that is owed or deserved—is used. While they do convey a similar message, “just desserts” and “just deserves” are incorrect.

      4.    Moot point

How most people use it: mute point

“Moot point” is a great way to define a matter of no practical significance due to its hypothetical nature. “Mute point,” while somewhat similar in context, does not have the same meaning. It also has no established meaning in Standard English as an expression. Remember these during your IELTS Academic review.

      5.    Hunger pangs  

How most people use it: hunger pains

Saying or spelling out “pains” instead of “pangs” is an understandable mistake. “Hunger pangs” refer to the discomfort or pain in the upper left side of the abdomen, usually caused when the stomach contracts while it’s empty. Make sure you use the correct version in your speech and writings.

Master using these idioms during your IELTS training period. Make sure that they contribute something to your speech or essay whenever you apply them. Enroll in an online IELTS review to find out more ways to supercharge your test performance.

References:

DesMarais, Christina. “20 Embarrassing Phrases Even Smart People Misuse.” Inc. Accessed October 18, 2018. https://www.inc.com/christina-desmarais/20-embarrassing-phrases-even-smart-people-misuse.html

Jamieson, Phil. “Demystifying Common Confusing Idioms and Phrases.” Proofreadnow. September 22, 2017. Accessed October 18, 2018. https://www.proofreadnow.com/blog/demystifying-common-confusing-idioms-and-phrases

Patter, Olivia. “The 30 Most Misused Phrases in the English Language.” Independent. December 8, 2017. Accessed October 18, 2018.https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/most-misused-phrases-words-english-language-uk-revealed-to-be-pacific-a8098791.html

Jackson, Dominique. “25 Common Phrases That You’re Saying Wrong.” Life Hack. November 14, 2018. Accessed October 18, 2018. https://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/25-common-phrases-that-youre-saying-wrong.html