Delusions of Grandeur – Idiom of the Day for IELTS Speaking & Writing

When preparing for the IELTS Speaking and IELTS Writing test, using idiomatic expressions naturally and correctly can make your speech sound more fluent and expressive. The idiom “Delusions of Grandeur” is ideal for describing people who have an exaggerated sense of their importance, abilities, or status. This blog explains its meaning, provides examples, exercises, and a sample IELTS Speaking answer to help you use it confidently and boost your score.

Meaning of Delusions of Grandeur

• Definition: (Humorously) a delusion in which one believes oneself possessed of great importance, power, wealth, intellect, or ability; pretentious.
• Synonyms: Overconfidence; self-importance; inflated ego.
• Example Explanation: When someone has delusions of grandeur, they overestimate their abilities or significance, often unrealistically or humorously.
• Examples of “Delusions of Grandeur”
  • He’s been suffering from delusions of grandeur ever since he was promoted to Manager of the Marketing Department.
  • People with delusions of grandeur often have a false impression of their importance.
  • Lexie finally got out of her delusions of grandeur after being rejected from a funding program for her science project.

Usage of “Delusions of Grandeur” in IELTS Speaking

Here are some example sentences showing how the idiom is used naturally:

• “Some actors develop delusions of grandeur after achieving sudden fame.”
• “It’s important for leaders to stay grounded and avoid delusions of grandeur.”
• “Despite his achievements, he never showed delusions of grandeur and remained humble.”

Pro Tip: Use this idiom naturally when describing people with exaggerated self-importance or pretentious behavior in the IELTS Speaking Part 1, IELTS Speaking Part 2, or IELTS Speaking Part 3.

Sample IELTS Speaking Answer Using “Delusions of Grandeur”

IELTS Speaking Part 2 – Describe Your Plans to Study or Work Overseas
I have always considered studying or working abroad, not because I want to leave my home country at all cost, but to experience different cultures and take advantage of advanced education systems. I’m not a person with delusions of grandeur, but I am highly aware of my intellectual abilities as well as financial constraints. Therefore, I know that achieving a higher degree abroad requires effort and possibly securing a scholarship, which is exactly what I am pursuing right now.

Exercises

Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Meaning
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom “Delusions of Grandeur” in each sentence:

1. After his promotion, he developed delusions of grandeur.
   a) Remained humble
   b) Believed he was extremely important
   c) Lost interest in his work
2. Lexie got out of her delusions of grandeur after the rejection.
   a) Accepted reality and became realistic
   b) Increased her self-importance
   c) Ignored the situation
3. Celebrities often fall into delusions of grandeur.
   a) Underestimate themselves
   b) Overestimate their significance
   c) Act responsibly
4. The manager showed no delusions of grandeur despite his success.
   a) Stayed humble and realistic
   b) Became pretentious
   c) Ignored his work
5. People with delusions of grandeur often …
   a) Have a realistic view of themselves
   b) Overestimate their abilities
   c) Avoid responsibilities

Exercise 2: Complete the Sentences
Fill in the blanks with the idiom “delusions of grandeur”:

1. After the award, he developed ___________________ and thought he could do no wrong.
2. Some entrepreneurs fall into ___________________ after achieving early success.
3. Despite winning the competition, she never had ___________________.
4. The politician’s ___________________ caused him to make unrealistic promises.
5. It’s important to avoid ___________________ and stay humble.

Answers

Exercise 1 Answers:

1. b) Believed he was extremely important
2. a) Accepted reality and became realistic
3. b) Overestimate their significance
4. a) Stayed humble and realistic
5. b) Overestimate their abilities

Exercise 2 Answers:

1. delusions of grandeur
2. delusions of grandeur
3. delusions of grandeur
4. delusions of grandeur
5. delusions of grandeur

The idiom “Delusions of Grandeur” is a humorous and expressive way to describe people who overestimate their importance, abilities, or status. Using it naturally in IELTS Speaking and Writing can enhance your vocabulary score and make your responses more engaging. Practice with the examples, exercises, and sample answer to confidently include it in your speaking and writing. If you're aiming for top scores, follow the IELTS Exam Preparation Tips for Band Score of 8+ to further enhance your vocabulary and overall test performance.

Also Check: 

• 21+ Tips On How to Improve Your IELTS Writing Band Score
• IELTS Exam Preparation Tips for Band Score of 8+
• IELTS Writing Task 1 Connectors
• 10 Useful IELTS Speaking Tips to Impress the Examiner
• Useful Idioms for IELTS Speaking to Score Band 8.0+