Hello everyone, I read a post about not using idioms in writing essays. However, I found some information on a website, they said that we can use some 'formal idioms' in essays. I am so nervous, which idea is really correct?

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It's understandable to feel nervous about this! The truth is, it depends on the type of essay you're writing.
* For academic essays (IELTS, university papers, etc.), it's best to avoid most idioms because they are often informal. However, some "formal idioms" or "fixed expressions" (like "a case in point," "play a crucial role," or "in light of") can be acceptable in formal writing.
* For opinion or creative essays, idioms might be more acceptable if they are relevant and used correctly.
If you’re preparing for IELTS, you can safely use formal expressions, but avoid anything too casual.

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I think it depends on what one means by 'idiom'.  Some idioms can be more 'educated' and other more 'vulgar'.

Also, you didn't mention what type of essay you're talking about. If you're writing a non-academic essay, for general readers, humor, entertainment, etc. you may want to use whatever idioms you like.     Examples:

Academic essay:      King John was irate . . . . etc.
Humorous essay:    King John was mad as a wet hen; royally p'ssed off. fit be tied, etc.

Bottom Line: if you're going to use idioms you need to use idioms appropriate to the type of writing and your reader.

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I see no problem with using idioms in essays, but I'm not an academic. I'm curious to know what would be the examiner's excuse for frowning upon such things, because to me, it seems unfair.

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Hey Lily!

I totally get why you're feeling confused—there’s a lot of mixed advice out there. The thing is, idioms in essays can be tricky. In formal writing (like IELTS or academic essays), casual or colloquial idioms (e.g., "hit the nail on the head" or "bite the bullet") aren’t recommended because they can make your writing sound too informal.

However, some "formal idioms" or set phrases—like "play a crucial role," "shed light on," or "pose a challenge"—are widely accepted in academic writing.

So, it really depends on the type of idiom you're using. If you’re preparing for an exam, it’s best to stick with more formal expressions that sound natural in an academic context.

Hope that clears things up! Let me know if you need more examples.

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