List of useful idioms for IELTS with meaning 1. A Penny for Your Thoughts – ask someone who is being very quiet about, what is on their mind. ==> For several minutes they sat silently, then finally she looked at him and said, “A penny for your thoughts, Walter.” 2. Against the clock – do something as fast as possible and try to finish it before a certain time. ==> With her term paper due on Monday, she was racing against the clock to finish it 3. Lend an ear – to listen carefully and in a friendly way to someone ==> If you have any problems, go to Claire. She’ll always lend a sympathetic ear. 4. on cloud nine – very happy; deliriously happy ==>She just bought her first new car and she’s on cloud nine. 5. bushed – tired. ==>I am totally bushed after staying up so late . 6. hard feelings – the emotion of being upset or offended. ==>I am sorry I have to fire you. No hard feelings, oka