Common Idioms for IELTS Topic- Once in a Blue Moon

Idiom used in IELTS reflects the daily usage of colloquial phrases and vocabulary for reading, writing, and speaking tasks. Common idioms for IELTS speaking helps candidates to develop a better understanding. Idioms glorify the meaning of our thoughts and to achieve a better score one has to use uncommon vocabulary. This means using words that are used less but might not be a part of advanced English. This idiom is focused on the IELTS Speaking section.

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Topic: Common Idioms for IELTS Topic- Once in a Blue Moon

The idiom “Once in a Blue Moon” signifies in a rare occasion; seldom

Sentence: My friend is so busy that we see each other once in a blue moon.

There are quite a few idioms and phrases for IELTS related to the moon. Here once in a blue moon idiom talks about a full moon night. As the full moon nights are a rare occasion, people rarely can see full nights. The full moon nights appear thrice a year. So, you need to be lucky enough to see a full moon all three times a year. Specially, the third full moon of the year us considered as a Blue Moon. It is surprising that blue moon is not the actual colour. It only appears blue. It is an interesting fact that the idiom Blue moon is derived from the an Old English word “belewe” which has two meanings. One meaning refers to the color blue whereas the other meaning refers the word betrayal.

There is a popular belief behind the about how the moon betrays people. The story states that prior to the Gregorian calender being followed, the church adopted the calculation of dates following the moon. The date of Easer would be when the moon completes its cycle. But when Blue Moon appeared in the sky, the Father or the clergy wanted to stop people that this not the end of Lent and hence bringing an end to the fasting, considering it to be a Betrayer Moon.

Idiom Scenario 1: For IELTS Speaking

(using the idiom in the conversation)

Friend 1: Hey! How have you been?

Friend 2: I’m good.

Friend 1: Where have you been?

Friend 2: I have been to London to see the Queen.

Friend 1: Haha! You have been upto something. You don’t meet us, you have become a blue moon.

Explanation: In the above conversation between two friends, it is evident that they do not see each other quite often. As he is not been seen often, hence the usage of the IELTS Idiom “Once in a Blue Moon” is appropriate.

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Idiom Scenario 1: For IELTS Speaking

(using the idiom in the conversation)

Teacher: Rishab?

Student: Yes mam!

Teacher: Oh! You’re in the class.

Student: Yes.

Teacher: Where have you been? You have become Once a blue moon.

Explanation: In the above conversation between Teacher and Student, it is evident that the student is a regular absentee. As he is not been seen often, hence the usage of the IELTS Idiom “Once in a Blue Moon” is appropriate.