The Architecture of Fluency Part 1
The "Idiom" Trap: Why Native Speakers Don’t Use the Idioms You Learnt
Have you ever searched online for "How to get Band 9 in IELTS Speaking"? Chances are, you've encountered the same piece of advice repeatedly: "Use idioms."
So, you memorised a list. You walked into your mock test, eagerly awaited a question about the weather, and confidently declared, "Well, it is raining cats and dogs today."
And your examiner’s heart sank.
Why? Because native English speakers have not used that phrase seriously since the 1950s. Using it doesn't make you sound fluent; it makes you sound like a textbook from the last century.
Welcome to The Architecture of Fluency. In this 10-part series, we're dismantling the myths of "advanced" English and reconstructing your speaking strategy based on how C2-level speakers actually communicate. Today, we begin by refining your idiomatic vocabulary.
The Difference Between "Decorating" and "Communicating"
The most significant error students make is treating idioms like decorations. They believe an idiom is a shiny ornament to adorn a dull sentence, making it appear sophisticated.
Student Logic: "I am busy." (Boring) → "I have a lot on my plate." (Better)
Student Logic: "It is expensive." (Boring) → "It costs an arm and a leg." (Better?)
The first example works. The second is perilous.
Examiners are not tallying your idioms. They are listening for Idiomaticity—the ability to use language naturally and effectively. When you shoehorn an archaic idiom like "kick the bucket" into a serious discussion, it signals to the examiner that you are translating, not thinking.
The Solution: Metaphorical Competence
True Band 9 idiomaticity isn't about proverbs; it's about Metaphor.
Native speakers frequently use metaphorical language unconsciously. We treat Time as Money (we spend it, save it, waste it). We treat Arguments as War (we attack points, defend positions, shoot down ideas).
These are idioms! Yet, because they don't sound "funny," students overlook them.
To excel, you need to shift your focus from Opaque Idioms to Transparent Metaphors.
1. The Opaque Idiom (Avoid These)
These phrases offer no literal clues about their meanings.
Examples: "Kick the bucket," "Bury the hatchet," "Face the music."
The Verdict: Use these with extreme caution. They often sound clunky or forced unless executed with perfect tone.
2. The Transparent Metaphor (Use These)
These phrases present images that clearly relate to their meanings. They are commonly used in professional and academic settings—ideal for IELTS.
Examples: "Hit a wall," "Run out of steam," "The heart of the matter," "Build a bridge."
The Verdict: These are your "Money Phrases". They demonstrate your ability to manipulate abstract concepts fluently.
The "Band 9 Upgrade" List
Let's examine three popular "textbook idioms" that students adore, and replace them with the natural alternatives a C2 speaker would employ in 2024.
Scenario 1: Heavy Rain
Avoid: "It's raining cats and dogs."
Better: "It's bucketing down." This creates a stronger, more immediate visual image for the listener.
Scenario 2: High Prices
Avoid: "It costs an arm and a leg."
Better: "It is exorbitant." This shows high-level vocabulary suitable for academic or social analysis in Part 3.
Scenario 3: Finding the Positive
Avoid: "Every cloud has a silver lining."
Better: "There is a flip side to this..." This acts as a functional link between ideas rather than just a memorised saying.
Your Challenge: Stop Memorising, Start Visualising
This week, abandon the search for "funny" phrases. Instead, listen to English podcasts or read news articles and look for Metaphors.
- Don't say you "were sad." Say you were "feeling a bit low." (Metaphor: Emotion is Up/Down)
- Don't say you "stopped making progress." Say you "hit a plateau." (Metaphor: Progress is a Journey)
- Don't say the problem "is small." Say it is "just the tip of the iceberg." (Metaphor: Problems are hidden/deep)
This is Idiomaticity. It’s not about cats, dogs, or legs. It’s about painting a picture with your words so vividly that the examiner sees it instantly.
Ready to Practise These Phrases?
You can't learn idiomaticity just by reading a blog post. You have to speak it.