A valuable book by ZIM IELTS Speaking - 1000+ Useful Expressions

ZIM Books – Giải pháp toàn diện cho người học IELTS | 1

CHAPTER 1 – Describing People

Personality traits and characteristics

Positive traits and characteristics

1. (to be) as brave as a lion

Meaning: someone who is very brave or courageous

Example: Tom’s as brave as a lion, he didn’t even hesitate to confront the thief who tried to

steal my wallet.

2. (to be) as cool as a cucumber

Meaning: someone who acts very calm in a difficult or serious situation.

Example: Mark is always as cool as a cucumber, even when he is under a lot of pressure.

3. (to be) down to earth

Meaning: someone who is very sensible, realistic, practical, thinks logically and rationally.

Maybe the opposite of someone who ‘has their head in the clouds’.

Example: Karen’s really sensible and realistic, she’s really down to earth.

He is a really down to earth kind of guy.

She’s got a really down to earth personality.

4. (to be) easy-going

Meaning: similar to laid back. Someone who is not easily worried, upset or annoyed.

Example: Ryan’s a very easy-going guy. Nothing seems to bother him too much.

5. (to be) a go-getter

Meaning: someone who is proactive, determined and works hard to achieve what they want.

Example: Christine is a real go-getter, she’ll do whatever it takes to work her way to the top

of her company.

6. (to be) good company

Meaning: someone who is fun or pleasant to be around and spend time with.

Example: Jane’s really good company. I always have a great time when we hang out together.

7. (to be) a good laugh

Meaning: someone who is funny and entertaining to be around.

ZIM Books – Giải pháp toàn diện cho người học IELTS | 2

Example: My best friend Amanda is a real good laugh. She’s always got a lot of funny stories

to tell when we catch up.

8. (to be) a knight in shining armour

Meaning: someone who helps or saves you when you have a problem

Example: Alex is a real knight in shining armour, he helped me to move house when no one

else could.

9. (to be) laid-back

Meaning: someone who behaves in a very relaxed way, nothing seems to bother them.

Example: I guess I would describe myself as being pretty laid back. I don’t get upset or

worried very easily.

10. (to have) nerves of steel

Meaning: someone is able to stay calm in a difficult or dangerous situation, or when under a

lot of pressure

Example: John’s got nerves of steel. He looked so calm when the robber pointed a gun at his face

11. (to be) open-minded

Meaning: someone who is willing to listen to, or is accepting of, other people’s ideas and

opinions, even if they are different to their own beliefs.

Example: One of the reasons that I really respect Greg is because he is so open-minded.

12. (to be) as sweet as honey | sugar

Meaning: someone who acts in a very sweet, nice or gentle manner.

Example: Mary is one of the nicest people I know, she’s as sweet as sugar.

13. (to be) up-and-coming

Meaning: someone or something that is advancing in its field and is likely to be a success

Example: John is an up-and-coming star. He’s been staring in a lot of films lately and is gaining

a lot of popularity amongst movie critics.

Mike’s café is said to be the next up-and-coming chain of coffee stores around the country

14. (to have) vim and vigour

Meaning: someone who has a lot of energy and enthusiasm

Example: Tom is full of vim and vigour. He’s always so excited and enthusiastic about everything!