How to Master TOEFL Idioms: Essential Tips for Success

January 17, 2025 Sohaib

The TOEFL exam assesses English proficiency for non-native speakers, and understanding idioms is crucial for scoring well. Since idioms appear in reading and listening sections, mastering them can significantly boost comprehension and response accuracy.

If you are good at the use of idioms, you can write better passages and will also improve your comprehension reading. It is very important to have a good grasp on idioms to score high in language tests including IELTS and TOEFL. This guide will help you learn essential TOEFL idioms and strategies to incorporate them effectively.

Why Are Idioms Important for TOEFL?

Idioms are expressions with meanings that differ from the literal interpretation of their words. Understanding idioms is vital because:

They appear in listening passages: Native speakers naturally use idioms in conversations.
They enhance reading comprehension: Many academic and informal texts include idiomatic expressions.
They improve speaking and writing scores: Proper use of idioms demonstrates fluency and a natural grasp of English.
They reflect cultural understanding: Idioms often have cultural significance, showing a deeper knowledge of the language.
They help in professional and academic settings: Many academic papers, business communications, and casual conversations feature idiomatic expressions.

Essential TOEFL Idioms and Their Meanings

Here are some idioms commonly found in the TOEFL exam and general English usage:

Hit the books – To study hard.
Burn the midnight oil – To work late into the night.
Go the extra mile – To put in additional effort.
A piece of cake – Something very easy.
Under the weather – Feeling sick.
Break the ice – To initiate conversation in a social setting.
Get the ball rolling – To start a process.
In the same boat – Facing the same situation as others.
Throw in the towel – To give up.
On the same page – To agree on something.
Bite the bullet – To endure a painful situation bravely.
Let the cat out of the bag – To reveal a secret.
Hit the nail on the head – To describe exactly what is happening.
Pull someone’s leg – To joke or tease.
Jump on the bandwagon – To adopt a popular activity or trend.
A blessing in disguise – Something that appears bad at first but has a good outcome.
Cost an arm and a leg – Very expensive.
The ball is in your court – It is now your responsibility to take action.
Spill the beans – To reveal confidential information.
Actions speak louder than words – What people do is more important than what they say.

Strategies to Learn and Use Idioms Effectively

1. Context-Based Learning

Instead of memorizing idioms in isolation, learn them in context. Read articles, watch English movies, and listen to podcasts where idioms are used naturally. Practice recognizing idioms in different scenarios to understand their meanings better. This will give you a better idea of where to use these idioms. Also, you will not need to write new sentences using these idioms which might result in error. Context based learning helps you memorize most common used sentences.

2. Use Flashcards and Mnemonics

Create flashcards with idioms on one side and their meanings and example sentences on the other. Apps like Anki or Quizlet can help reinforce memory. Using mnemonics or visual associations can make idioms easier to remember.

3. Practice Speaking and Writing

Use idioms in your daily conversations and written assignments. Try writing a short essay using at least five idioms. Engage in language exchange programs where you can practice idioms with native speakers. Try to make more friends on social media who speak the native language. This will not help you better understand their use of language but will also improve your understanding.

4. Listen to Native Speakers

TED Talks, BBC News, and American TV shows expose learners to idioms in real-life situations. Engaging with natural conversations helps improve understanding and contextual usage. You can subscribe to the YouTube channels of the native creators on the topics of your interest. This will not only help you increase your knowledge of topic of your interests but will also improve your language skills. Subscribing to X (Twitter) handles and LinkedIn profiles will also help you, as these are professional platforms. Most of the posts shared on these platforms are written in proper language and people take them seriously while writing.

5. Read Widely

Novels, newspapers, and blogs often use idioms. The more you read, the better you understand how idioms are applied in various contexts. Novels, newspapers and blogs are excellent tools to improve your language. You will find many examples of usage of idioms and other terms. The text in novels, newspapers and blogs is always proofread and checked cautiously. Hence it is the most authentic way of improving your language skills.

6. Take Practice Tests

Simulating TOEFL conditions by taking practice tests helps recognize idioms in context and improves test-taking strategies. Pay attention to idioms in sample passages and understand their implied meanings.

7. Use Idioms Naturally

Overusing idioms can make writing seem forced. Instead, focus on natural incorporation into conversations and essays. Choose idioms that fit the topic and make your writing more engaging.

Final Tips for TOEFL Idiom Mastery

Don’t overuse idioms; ensure they fit the context naturally.
Focus on commonly used idioms rather than rare ones.
Keep a personal journal of new idioms and practice using them daily.
Engage in conversations with native English speakers to practice idioms in a natural setting.
Record yourself speaking to analyze how naturally you incorporate idioms into your speech.

Mastering idioms will not only boost your TOEFL score but also enhance your overall English fluency. By integrating idioms naturally into your speech and writing, you’ll demonstrate a strong command of the language, setting you apart as a proficient English speaker. Keep practicing and immerse yourself in English content to make idiom usage second nature!