Common Idioms for IELTS Speaking Topic - Put One’s Cards on the Table

The IELTS Speaking test measures how well you can use idiomatic language. Idioms help the candidate to build vocabulary and help to improve the score. In order to answer IELTS speaking and reading sections, the candidates must learn different types of idioms. This particular idiom will help you understand its literal meaning and how you can use it in IELTS speaking.

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Topic: Common Idioms for IELTS Speaking Topic - Put one’s cards on the table

• Put one’s cards on the table

Meaning: to be open and honest with other people about your feelings and intentions

Example: Before we go further in the discussion, I feel I should put my cards on the table.

Exercise 1:

Match the idioms in column A with their meanings in column B.

1. sweeten the deal                           a. to risk everything to get something in return
2. rock-bottom                                   b. to add something to an offer to make it more attractive
3. put one’s cards on the table          c. use one’s best resources
4. play its ace                                    d. to be honest and transparent in negotiations
5. go for broke                                   e. the lowest price that a negotiating party is willing to give for something

1. sweeten the deal

Answer: B

Meaning: Sweeten the deal means to make something more attractive and appealing.

Also, check:

2. rock-bottom

Answer: E

Meaning: Rock bottom means the very lowest of something.

3. put one’s cards on the table

Answer: D

Meaning: To be honest with other people about thoughts, plans, etc.

4. play its ace

Answer: C

Meaning: To make use of a resource that one knows or hopes will ensure an absolute and successful result.

5. go for broke

Answer: A

Meaning: To take the most extreme and risky actions to achieve something.

Exercise 2:

Make sentences using the learned idiom and write it down in the comment box below

1. sweeten the deal

Example: To sweeten the deal the company offered with an excellent pension plan.

Explanation: Here the idiom is used to add something to an offer to make it sound more attractive. Here it is used to show how the company made the offer more enticing or attractive by giving the pension plan.

2. Rock-bottom

Example: They were selling the goods at rock-bottom prices.

Explanation: This idiom shows the lowest possible level of something. In the above sentence, the idiom is used to represent the lowest price of the goods.

3. Put one’s cards on the table

Example: When Daniel visited his therapist, he put his cards on the table so that he could get help.

Explanation: Here the idiom is used to show completely honesty and transparency in the conversations that need to take place in an honest way without holding information back.

4. Play its ace

Example: In the last move of snooker, John decided to play his ace and won.

Explanation: In the above sentence the idiom is used to show how cleverly John did something unexpected to give himself an advantage.

5. Go for broke

Example: It was a very tough decision about whether to go for broke or whether to compromise.

Explanation: In the above sentence the idiom is used to describe the choice between compromising or taking the risk even if it may cause a great loss.