IELTS Speaking: Sport idioms & phrasal verbs

One way to try to get high scores in the IELTS speaking test is to use phrasal verbs and idioms. In this blog we are going to look at sport idioms & phrasal verbs.
 
At upper intermediate level and above you should be learning both of them and trying to use them in your daily life. They are not easy but are one way you can move towards advanced and proficiency.
 
A band 4/5 student may try to use 1 or 2 of them in the IELTS speaking test but normally in a very unnatural way. However, a band 7 student will probably know many and use them well but a band 8/9 candidate will utilise them completely naturally. At this level the student speaks very naturally and uses whatever language they need to express themselves clearly. When they choose a phrasal verb or idiom it is because it conveys more than a normal word (s) alone. This is just like a native English speaker. The band 4/5 student, on the other hand, will probably just say 1 or repeat a memorised phrase to try to sound more advanced.
 

Sport Phrasal verbs

 
Here are some phrasal verbs and their definitions which are used for sport

to warm up

To do movements/stretching to get your muscles/body ready for exercise

To cool down

To do movements/stretching after your main exercise to get it back to normal

To join in

To take part in a sporting event or match

To give up

To surrender/quit

To drop out

To leave a competition or race

To knock someone out

To beat someone in competition so they are no longer in it /To hit someone in a boxing match so that they become unconscious

To bulk up

To gain weight and muscle

To work out

To do exercise routines/sessions

Here is a sample speaking part 2 question:

 
Describe your favourite type of sport
 
You should say:
-What equipment is used
-Where it is normally played
-How it is played
And say how it compares to other sports.
 

Listen to the sample sentences here:

Text of the Audio

 
You need to use special training equipment to warm up and cool down so you don’t get cramps.
It’s normally played on a pitch outside and anyone can join in.
It’s a tough sport, you need determination and a high level of endurance because it involves a lot of running. This is why most people give up in the first month.
Because it’s very physical, injuries are frequent so it’s not uncommon for athletes to drop out of competitions.
Every match is part of a competition where each losing team is sequentially knocked out until there are only 2 remaining who play in the final.
To play this sport you need a strong body and must weigh a certain amount. What this means is that competitors frequently bulk up before matches.
In my opinion, it’s far more physically demanding than other sports on account of the strenuous training sessions where you work out with a coach.

Now, prepare your own 2 minute presentation using the phrasal verbs.
 

Sport idioms

 
What’s great about idioms is that they add new meaning and a creativity to how you express yourself. One idiom can often say far more than a whole sentence. Here are some sports idioms to you can use to talk about many things.

Another string to your bow

Another skill/ability

To dive in head first

To start doing something 100%

To get off on the wrong foot

To start a relationship badly

To jump through the hoops

To do what you are told to do

To do something off your own bat

To take the initiative and do something on your own

To get off to a flying start

To make a successful start

To be on the ball

To be sharp and to know everything that’s happening

Plain sailing

Without any problems

To run rings around someone

To be far superior to someone else

The name of the game

The core priority. “Speed is the name of the game in athletics”

You can’t win them all

It’s impossible to win every match/contest

You win some you lose some

It’s normal to lose some matches/contests

To be out of your league

When the other competitors are far superior to you

 
Here are some great videos to learn more sport idioms:
 

 
Try to learn 1 phrasal verb and 1 idiom every day. You should try to use them in speaking and also writing. At the end of the week revise everything you’ve learned and ask your teacher or a friend to check.
 

Posted by Phil Wade on Mar 6 2012. Filed under IELTS. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry