Common Idioms for IELTS Topic - Loving and Liking

The IELTS Idioms make the conversation or a sentence more interesting and attractive. In English, phrasal verbs and idioms are commonly used. To answer IELTS speaking and reading sections, the candidates must learn different types of idioms. The evaluation of IELTS speaking concentrates on the criteria of how well the candidates use idiomatic language. And when you are a beginner in language learning you must be very careful to use them in your sentences.

Check:​ Get IELTS Prep Guide

Topic: Common Idioms for IELTS Topic - Loving and Liking

Exercise 1

Complete the sentences with the words in the box.

1. We’ve known each other for years and I’ve always had a soft __________ for Gerri.
2. We didn’t think her new boyfriend was a __________ on the one she had before.
3. I found a photo of my dad with an old __________ from his college days.
4. She carried a __________ for the boy next door all through their teenage years.
5. Yes, I suppose he’s good-looking, but not really much to write __________ about.
6. You can see they’re __________ over heels in love with each other.
7. It was in Tunisia that they saw the house of their __________
8. I don’t like her but the fact that she loves him so much is her saving __________

Answer 1: spot

Explanation: The idiom “soft spot” means feeling great affection.

Answer 2: patch

Explanation: The idiom “patch on” means not good one or impressive.

Answer 3: flame

Explanation: The idiom “Old flame” means former love interest.

Answer 4: torch

Explanation: The idiom “Carry a Torch for” means secret admiration.

Also, check:

Answer 5: home

Explanation: The idiom “Nothing to Write home about” means to express excitement.

Answer 6: head

Explanation: The idiom “Head over heels” means too much in love.

Answer 7: dreams

Explanation: The idiom “House of Dreams” means ideal residence.

Answer 8: grace

Explanation: The idiom “Saving grace” means good quality in a person.

Exercise 2

Answer the questions.

1. If you carry a torch for someone, are you in love with them or are they in love with you?
2. If something is a common-or-garden, is it ordinary or special?
3. If something is no great shakes, does it impress you?
4. If you are head and shoulders above someone else, are they better, or not as good as you at something?
5. If someone has a soft spot for you, do they like or dislike you?
6. If someone is not a patch on you, are they better or worse than you?

Answer 1: you are in love with them

Explanation: The idiom “torch for someone” means loving someone.

Answer 2: ordinary

Explanation: The idiom “common-or-garden” means ordinary people.

Answer 3: no

Explanation: The idiom “no great shakes” means no great importance.

Answer 4: not as good as you

Explanation: The idiom “head and shoulders above” means to feel above or greater than other.

Answer 5: they like you

Explanation: The idiom “soft spot” means feeling great affection.

Answer 6: they are not as good as you are

Explanation: The idiom ““patch on” means not good one or impressive.

Exercise 3

Choose the best idiom to match the sentences.

1. We don’t allow her to go out with her friends on school nights during exam time.

1. she’s nothing to write home about
2. you have to be cruel to be kind
3. there are plenty more fish in the sea

2. The first time they met he knew she was the one for him.

1. she’s nothing to write home about
2. he fell head over heels in love
3. she was an old flame

3. His mother won’t let anyone criticize him.

1. she carries a torch for him
2. she’s head over heels
3. she thinks the world of him

4. I expect he’ll find another girlfriend pretty soon.

1. there are plenty more fish in the sea
2. he’s nothing to write home about
3. you have to be cruel to be kind

5. He’s the best player this team has ever had.

1. there are other fish in the sea
2. he’s not a patch on the others
3. he’s head and shoulders above the others

6. He’s very creative in the kitchen but on the management side of the business.

1. head over heels
2. no great shakes
3. an old flame

Answer 1: b

Explanation: The idiom “you have to be cruel to be kind” means to cause someone pain for his own doings.

Answer 2: b

Explanation: The idiom “Head over heels” means too much in love.

Answer 3: c

Explanation: The idiom “she thinks the world of him” meaning high opinion.

Answer 4: a

Explanation: The idiom “plenty more fish in the sea” means more available options.

Answer 5: c

Explanation: The idiom “head and shoulders above” means to feel above or greater than other.

Answer 6: b

Explanation: The idiom “no great shakes” means no great importance.

Exercise 4

Re-order the phrases to make sentences. Add punctuation where necessary.

1. and I / my piano teacher / thought the world of her / was a lovely woman
2. he’s a genius / a common-or-garden teaching job / he has / but I think
3. with a girl / a friend of mine / he met on holiday / fell head over heels in love
4. it’s nothing to write home about / but frankly, / we have a new car that / cost a lot of money
5. a memory of / do you have / an old flame / that is precious to you
6. it’s a good film but / the film / that inspired it / it’s not a patch on

Answer 1: My piano teacher was a lovely woman and I thought the world of her.

Explanation: The idiom “thought the world” means high expectations.

Answer 2: He has a common-or-garden teaching job but I think he’s a genius.

Explanation: The idiom “common-or-garden” means ordinary people.

Answer 3: A friend of mine fell head over heels in love with a girl he met on holiday.

Explanation: The idiom “Head over heels” means too much in love

Answer 4: We have a new car that cost a lot of money but frankly, it’s nothing to write home about.

Explanation: The idiom “Nothing to Write home about” means to express excitement.

Answer 5: Do you have a memory of an old flame that is precious to you?

Explanation: The idiom “Old flame” means former love interest.

Answer 6: It’s a good film but it’s not a patch on the films that inspired it.

Explanation: The idiom “Patch on” means not good one or impressive.

Exercise 5

Replace the underlined words and phrases with the idioms in the box.

1. They spent their evenings planning the holiday they would most like to take.
2. The clothes are awful but they have one good feature: they will not wear out.
3. My results are okay but not exceptional.
4. I’ve always cared a lot about her.
5. Apparently James is an ex boyfriend of Amanda’s.
6. He adores his grandmother.
7. His new girlfriend is not nearly as wonderful as his last girlfriend.
8. There was one applicant who was far better than all the rest.

Answer 1: of their dreams

Explanation: The idiom “ of Dreams” means ideal holiday destination.

Answer 2: saving grace

Explanation: The idiom “Saving grace” means good quality in a person.

Answer 3: nothing to write home about

Explanation: The idiom “Nothing to Write home about” means to express excitement.

Answer 4: had a soft spot for

Explanation: The idiom “soft spot” means feeling great affection.

Answer 5: old flame

Explanation: The idiom “Old flame” means former love interest.

Answer 6: thinks the world of

Explanation: The idiom “think the world of” means high expectations.

Answer 7: not a patch on

Explanation: The idiom “Patch on” means not good one or impressive.

Answer 8: head and shoulders above

Explanation: The idiom “head and shoulders above” means to feel above or greater than other.

Exercise 6

Complete the table. Put the idioms in the correct groups.