Common Idioms for IELTS Speaking Topic - Worth One’s Salt
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 - Worth One’s Salt
- Worth one’s Salt
Meaning: A person who is worth his salt lives up to the expectations of his job or situation.
Example: Any teacher worth his salt is able to inspire his students.
A friend is worth his salt if he helps us in difficult situations.
Exercise 1:
Complete the sentences with the expressions in the box. Check your answers in the answer key on this page.
a hard nut to crack a piece of cake in a pickle
not their cup of tea worth their salt
- Something that is very easy is _________________________.
- Someone who is in a difficult situation is _________________________.
- Someone who is a good worker is _________________________.
- Something someone doesn’t like is _________________________.
- Someone who is difficult to persuade in an argument is _________________________.
- Something that is very easy is
Answer: a piece of cake
Meaning: Something easily done or complete.
Also, check:
- Someone who is in a difficult situation is
Answer: in a pickle
Meaning: If someone is in a pickle this means that they are in a difficult position, or have a problem.
- Someone who is a good worker is
Answer: worth their salt
Meaning: Someone who is good or competent at the job or profession designated.
- Something someone doesn’t like is
Answer: not their cup of tea
Meaning: Something that you do not like or do not consider interesting.
- Someone who is difficult to persuade in an argument is
Answer: a hard nut to crack
Meaning: A person or thing that is difficult to deal with, understand, or influence
Exercise 2:
Read the situations and choose the best response. Circle a or b
- I’ve tried to persuade Emily not to marry Bob. After all, he’s 20 years older than she is. But she won’t listen.
- Well, she’s always been worth her salt.
- You know, she’s always been a hard nut to crack.
Answer: B
Explanation: According to the given question we could infer that it is very difficult to convince Emily, she is not ready to listen. So from this, it is easy to know that she is a hard nut to crack therefore the correct answer for this question will be option B.
- Tanya received a very challenging assignment at work, and she completed it three days early.
- She shouldn’t cry over spilled milk.
- She’s always been worth her salt.
Answer: B
Explanation: Here option B is the correct answer. This is because the idiom worth her salt describes a person who deserves the pay her or she receives, or someone who is worth the cost. And Tanya completed the work before the deadline which means she is dedicated and determined at any job or work given to her. Hence she is worth her salt.
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