Out on a Limb - Idiom of the Day for IELTS Speaking & Writing
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To express bold or unconventional views, use the idiom 'Out on a Limb' in the IELTS Speaking & Writing sections and explore its definition, synonyms, and list of topics where you can fit it in your answers seamlessly to score band 8+ in lexical resources.
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‘Out on a Limb’ is an idiomatic expression that refers to situations where somebody goes to great lengths to boldly stand, express an unpopular opinion, or act with courage under possible failure. Such expressions in the use of IELTS Speaking & Writing questions would bring fluency, confidence, and expressiveness in your answers. However, you must get familiar with the situations where you can incorporate this expression in the IELTS Exam.
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How to Define the Idiom ‘Out on a Limb’?
Idioms such as ‘Out on a Limb’ would expand your vocabulary, demonstrate grammatical accuracy, and showcase that you can have a natural fluency. This would demonstrate the capacity for imaginative and flexible expression of your ideas rather than using repetitive words. This would create an impression of confidence and refinement which will help you achieve a higher IELTS Band Score of 8+. Let’s look at the meaning and example sentences for the idiom so that you can fit this into your answers effectively.
Topic |
Description |
Out on a Limb |
Idiom |
Definition |
Taking a chance or a daring step |
Synonyms |
Taking a risk, Act boldly, Daring |
Examples |
Jeremy went out on a limb, when he decided to give a stranger who had been robbed, a place to rest in his home and all the money he had saved. If I had to go out on a limb, I would say that it will be a month before your merchandise will be delivered.
A lot of people don’t go out on a limb, but many believe that they can afford to do it. The scientists went out on a limb while discovering the cause of covid-19. |
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List of Topics to Use ‘Out on a Limb’ in IELTS Speaking & Writing Sections
Before you start utilizing the idiom into your IELTS Speaking & Writing answers, it is important that you know in which topics you can use them. With this knowledge, you will enhance your skills and familiarise yourself with the idiom better. In this way, you would not feel hesitant or spend time recalling it when needed. Below are the list of topics where you can effectively use the idiom ‘Out on a Limb’.
Section |
Description |
Example |
IELTS Speaking |
Describe a situation in which you made a risk |
Having basically no prior experience and still going into small business, I was out on a limb. |
Describe a decision that set you apart from others |
Choosing fashion design while everyone else was going into engineering was me going out on a limb. |
|
Talk about an unpopular opinion you expressed |
During school debates, I often went out on a limb even to speak for the environment while other students disagreed. |
|
Describe someone you admire for being brave |
I admire my teacher because she often went out on a limb to help students lacking self-confidence. |
|
IELTS Writing |
Risk-taking and innovation |
True innovators often go out on a limb by pursuing new ideas that may lead to failure. |
Education and Career |
Going out on a limb for passion often means one is on the edge to satisfy themselves. |
|
Leadership |
True leadership sometimes would have one out on a limb in the defense of some value even against public opinion |
Grab the Vocabulary for IELTS (Essential words for popular topics in IELTS) and take a step towards your desired band score of 8+.
Exercise on ‘Out on a Limb’ for IELTS Speaking & Writing
To correctly use the idiomatic phrase ‘Out on a Limb’, it has to be put in a suitable context. The following exercises will help you practice in context and get you accustomed to putting this idiom in your answer.
EXERCISE 1. Choose the suitable idiom to complete the sentence below.
1 She was completely ________________ after winning the national scholarship.
- in hot water
- out of the woods
- on cloud nine
- pulling strings
2 The teacher’s joke helped ________________ at the start of the class.
- break the ice
- cross the line
- bite the bullet
- hit the jackpot
3 He was pretty far ________________ when he predicted the future of the industry two years ago.
- hit and run
- throwing money down the drain
- out on a limb
- had chemistry
4 Even though the exam was tough, finishing it on time was a ________________ for her.
- piece of cake
- out in a limb
- red herring
- close call
5 He got ________________ after speaking rudely to his boss during the meeting.
- under the weather
- in hot water
- once in a blue moon
- over the moon
EXERCISE 2. Attempt speaking on the cue card and record yourself speaking while using the idiom in your answer.
Describe the chance you took at risk. Try to use this idiom in your speech. You should say:
– When it happened
– What the chance was
– What the risk you had to faced
And explain what did you learn from this chance
Answer to the Exercise on ‘Out on a Limb’ for IELTS Speaking & Writing
Were your answers the same? Remember that errors are a part of the learning process. Look at the answers, check where you went wrong, and then focus on your weak spots. Doing so will improve your skills, and further advance your journey toward your IELTS goal.
- C
- A
- C
- A
- B
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By getting aware of the meanings, synonyms, and appropriate applications of the idiom, you will make your Speaking and IELTS Writing answers captivating. With this, you are a bit closer to your goal of attaining your desired band score with confidence. Continue learning new idioms and understand the appropriate ways to use them to your advantage.
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