Common Idioms for Topic Priorities and Decisions - IELTS Reading
IELTS Reading section can be developed with the help of different types of idioms. Idioms help test-takers in understanding complex phrases by stating their meaning. The following exercises help candidates practice the usage of idioms in different question types as evident in IELTS reading. This topic focuses on a wide range of idioms based on priorities and decisions. IELTS reading practice papers are helpful for candidates in developing their reading skills.
Common Idioms for Topic Priorities and Decisions
Exercise 1
Complete the sentences with the words in the box.
| by | of | to | in | on |
- We’re just going to play it __________ ear.
Answer: by
Explanation: The correct Idiom for this is "play it by ear".
- This is just the tip __________ the iceberg.
Answer: of
Explanation: The correct Idiom for this is "the tip of the iceberg".
- Let’s put that decision __________ the back burner for now.
Answer: on
Explanation: The correct Idiom for this is "on the back burner".
- I’m __________ two minds about spending all that money at once.
Answer: in
Explanation: The correct Idiom for this is "in two minds".
- He stuck __________ his guns in spite of their grumbling.
Answer: to
Explanation: The correct Idiom for this is "stick to your guns".
- We’ll cross that bridge when we come __________ it.
Answer: to
Explanation: The correct Idiom for this is "cross that bridge when you come to it".
Also check:
Exercise 2
Match sentence halves 1-6 with A – F to make complete sentences.
| 1. The bottom line is simply | A. and cut straight to the chase. |
| 2. We’re going to play it by ear | B. but let’s not make a mountain out of a molehill. |
| 3. You will have to stop sitting on the fence | C. but I won’t split hairs. |
| 4. The answer should have a capital letter | D. and see how the next 24 hours go. |
| 5. Let’s skip the introductions | E. that business is about money. |
| 6. We can’t ignore this issue | F. and show where your loyalty lies. |
Answer:
1.
Answer: E
Explanation: In a debate or argument, the bottom line is the most crucial and fundamental fact regarding the topic at hand.
2.
Answer: D
Explanation: You deal with things as they happen if you play it by ear, rather than following a plan or prior preparation.
3.
Answer: F
Explanation: Sitting on the fence means refusing to express a firm position on a topic or stating who you favor in a debate.
4.
Answer: C
Explanation: Splitting hairs refers to a disagreement over little details or the discovery of minor discrepancies between items that are otherwise quite similar.
5.
Answer: A
Explanation: If you cut to the chase, you'll start talking about or dealing with the vital stuff first, rather than the less important stuff.
6.
Answer: B
Explanation: When someone makes a mountain out of a molehill, they talk or moan about a minor issue as if it were a major issue.
Exercise 3
Choose the best answer to complete the sentences.
- ‘They really believe in what I do and they want to enable me to do it.’ She went on to explain her success: ‘I’m very good, that’s ______________ .’
- the bottom line
- the tip of the iceberg
- the back burner
Answer: a the bottom line
Explanation: In a debate or argument, the bottom line is the most crucial and fundamental fact regarding the topic at hand.
- Then he became really ill and had to put all his plans ______________
- up in the air
- on the fence
- on the back burner
Answer: c on the back burner
Explanation: When you put a project or an issue on the back burner, you opt to wait until a later date to address it. People's dreams have once again been pushed to the side as they struggle to make it from one day to the next.
- ‘What if you need another operation after this one?’ – ‘I’ll ______________ .’
- make a mountain out of a molehill
- cross that bridge when I come to it
- stick to my guns
Answer: b cross that bridge when I come to it
Explanation: When you say, "I'll cross that bridge when I come to it," you're implying that you'll deal with a problem when it arises, rather than if it arises.
- The President accused his critics of being oversensitive and of ______________
- playing it by ear
- cutting to the chase
- making a mountain out of a molehill
Answer: c making a mountain out of a molehill
Explanation: When someone makes a mountain out of a molehill, they talk or moan about a minor issue as if it were a major issue.
- For four hours of questioning, Grommek ______________ , but by five o’clock he had changed his story.
- played it by ear
- cut to the chase
- stuck to his guns
Answer: a played it by ear
Explanation: You deal with things as they happen if you play it by ear, rather than following a plan or prior preparation.
- She was ______________ about whether or not to turn back.
- splitting hairs
- in two minds
- up in the air
Answer: b in two minds
Explanation: You are unable to make a conclusion or form an opinion about anything if you are undecided.
Exercise 4:
Correct the idioms in these sentences.
- The dates for the summit meeting are still up on the fence at the moment.
Answer: up in the air
Explanation: The correct Idiom is "up in the air". If a big choice or plan is still up in the air, it means it hasn't been made or arranged yet.
- The police say that these numbers could just be the top of the iceberg.
Answer: tip of the iceberg
Explanation: The correct Idiom is "tip of the iceberg". When anything is referred to as the tip of the iceberg, it refers to a little portion of a larger problem or a potentially dangerous situation.
- He’ll do what he can to make you change your mind, but you stick on the back burner.
Answer: stick to your guns
Explanation: The correct Idiom is "stick to your guns". If you stick to your guns, you will not change your mind or your view about something, even if others try to persuade you otherwise.
- I’d don’t want to retire when I’m sixty years old but I’ll cut to the bridge when I come to it.
Answer: cross that bridge
Explanation: The correct Idiom is "cross that bridge". When you say, "I'll cross that bridge when I come to it," you're implying that you'll deal with a problem when it arises, rather than if it arises.
- She forgot her notes so she had to play it by air at the interview.
Answer: play it by ear
Explanation: The correct Idiom is "play it by ear". You deal with things as they happen if you play it by ear, rather than following a plan or prior preparation.
- There just isn’t any more money and that sits on the bottom line.
Answer: is the bottom line
Explanation: The correct Idiom is "is the bottom line". In a debate or argument, the bottom line is the most crucial and fundamental fact regarding the topic at hand.
- After he retires, Ken will be able to sit in the back seat in the family business.
Answer: take a back seat
Explanation: The correct Idiom is "take a back seat". You allow others to have all the power, importance, or duty if you take a back seat.
- I was proud to work for Ferrari, and to drive their fantastic cars was the icing on the cake.
Answer: the icing on the cake
Explanation: The correct Idiom is "the icing on the cake". When you say something is the icing on the cake, you're referring to something that adds to the enjoyment of a pleasant circumstance or activity.
Exercise 5:
Complete the sentences with idioms in this unit, changing the verb forms if necessary.
- I was so pleased just to have passed the exam; coming first was ________________
Answer: the icing on the cake
Explanation: When you say something is the icing on the cake, you're referring to something that adds to the enjoyment of a pleasant circumstance or activity.
- I can’t really say too much about who else I’m going to be working with at the moment because it’s all very much ________________ and anything could happen.
Answer: up in the air
Explanation: If a big choice or plan is still up in the air, it means it hasn't been made or arranged yet.
- I never really had a plan for my life. I just ________________. Neither of us is very ambitious and we have enough money.
Answer: play it by ear
Explanation: You deal with things as they happen if you play it by ear, rather than following a plan or prior preparation.
- She introduced herself and then said ‘I’ll ________________ : I have all the evidence I need to put you in prison for the next ten years’.
Answer: cut to the chase
Explanation: If you cut to the chase, you'll start talking about or dealing with the vital stuff first, rather than the less important stuff.
- This is a misleading figure. There will be many hidden costs that we will discover as this project develops. I suggest that £1.4 billion is only ________________
Answer: the tip of the iceberg
Explanation: When anything is referred to as the tip of the iceberg, it refers to a little portion of a larger problem or a potentially dangerous situation.
- Yet on this key issue, the government has chosen to ________________ , saying that schools must decide for themselves.
Answer: sit on the fence
Explanation: When anything is referred to as the tip of the iceberg, it refers to a little portion of a larger problem or a potentially dangerous situation.
- He warned reporters not to ________________. ‘I’m disappointed, but it’s not heartbreaking’, he said. ‘It was far worse in 1996.’
Answer: make a mountain out of a molehill
Explanation: When someone makes a mountain out of a molehill, they talk or moan about a minor issue as if it were a major issue.
- I’m fed up with being the boss so I’m going to ________________ and let other people do the hard work for a while.
Answer: take a back seat
Explanation: You allow others to have all the power, importance, or duty if you take a back seat.
Exercise 6
Complete the table with idioms from this unit.
| emphasizing something important | 1 ________________ 2 ________________ |
| showing that something is less important | 1 ________________ 2 ________________ 3 ________________ 4 ________________ |
| a decision not yet made | 1 ________________ 2 ________________ 3 ________________ 4 ________________ |
Answer:
| emphasizing something important | 1. the bottom line 2. cut to the chase |
| showing that something is less important | 1. make a mountain out of a molehill 2. split hairs 3. on the back burner 4. the icing on the cake |
| a decision not yet made | 1. play it by ear 2. sit on the fence 3. up in the air 4. in two minds |
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