Here are some common idioms that might appear in the listening section of the TOEFL ITP. These idioms often reflect everyday conversational English and can be used in academic or informal contexts:

• Break the ice – To start a conversation in a social setting.

  Example: "The professor told a joke to break the ice before starting the lecture."

• Hit the books – To study hard.

  Example: "I need to hit the books if I want to pass my exams."




• Under the weather – Feeling sick or unwell.

  Example: "She missed the class because she was feeling under the weather."

• Keep an eye on – To watch or monitor something carefully.

  Example: "Can you keep an eye on my bag while I go to the restroom?"

• Call it a day – To stop working or finish for the day.

  Example: "We’ve done enough work. Let’s call it a day."

• Out of the blue – Unexpectedly.

  Example: "The announcement came out of the blue during the meeting."

• On the same page – To have a shared understanding.

  Example: "Before we begin the project, let’s ensure we’re all on the same page."

• Piece of cake – Something very easy.

  Example: "The quiz was a piece of cake for everyone who studied."

• Bite the bullet – To face a difficult situation or decision.

  Example: "I didn’t want to take the test, but I had to bite the bullet."

• Burn the midnight oil – To work late into the night.

  Example: "She had to burn the midnight oil to finish her essay."

• The ball is in your court – It’s your decision or responsibility to act.

  Example: "I’ve given you the options; now the ball is in your court."

• Pull someone's leg – To joke or tease someone.

  Example: "Don’t take him seriously; he’s just pulling your leg."

• Hit the nail on the head – To describe something accurately.

  Example: "Her analysis of the situation really hit the nail on the head."




• Go the extra mile – To put in extra effort.

  Example: "The professor went the extra mile to help his students."

• Run out of steam – To lose energy or motivation.

  Example: "I planned to study all night but ran out of steam after two hours."

• Cut corners – To do something cheaply or quickly, often sacrificing quality.

  Example: "You can’t cut corners on this assignment if you want a good grade."

• Get cold feet – To feel nervous about a decision.

  Example: "She got cold feet just before presenting her project."

• In hot water – In trouble or a difficult situation.

  Example: "He’s in hot water for submitting the assignment late."

• Catch someone off guard – To surprise someone unexpectedly.

  Example: "The pop quiz caught the students off guard."




• Spill the beans – To reveal a secret.

  Example: "He accidentally spilled the beans about the surprise party."

Familiarizing yourself with these idioms can help you better understand and respond to the listening questions in the TOEFL ITP. Practice using them in your everyday conversations to improve your English proficiency.