In preparing for the IELTS exam, mastering various idiomatic expressions can significantly enhance your lexical resource score, a crucial part of the assessment criteria. One key idiomatic phrase to grasp is “behind closed doors.” This phrase, often occurring in various contexts, is important for enhancing your English proficiency and boosting your exam performance.
Understanding “Behind Closed Doors”
Definition and Pronunciation
Behind Closed Doors [behind kloʊzd dɔrz] (idiom): This phrase means something happening in private and away from public view.
Synonyms and Related Phrases:
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In secret [ˈsiːkrɪt] (adv): Happening without the knowledge or sight of others.
- Example: The discussions were held in secret.
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In private [ˈpraɪvɪt] (adv): Happening away from the public eye.
- Example: They decided to resolve the issue in private.
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Confidentially [ˌkɒnfɪˈdɛnʃəli] (adv): In a private manner not intended for public disclosure.
- Example: The report was shared confidentially.
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Secretly [ˈsiːkrətli] (adv): Done without anyone else knowing.
- Example: They met secretly to discuss the plan.
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Denonymous [deɪˈnɒnɪməs] (adj): Without revealing identity or confidential aspects.
- Example: The survey was completed denonymously.
Usage in IELTS
The idiom “behind closed doors” frequently pops up in IELTS Speaking and Writing tasks, especially when discussing sensitive topics or areas involving privacy. Knowledge of such phrases demonstrates linguistic proficiency and context understanding.
Analysis of “Behind Closed Doors” in IELTS Exams
Frequency in IELTS
While the specific phrase “behind closed doors” appears less frequently in IELTS Reading or Listening sections, it’s a powerful tool for adding depth to your responses in Speaking and Writing. Here’s an example of how it might appear:
Topic: Discuss the importance of transparency in government.
Response: While public officials should be transparent, many critical decisions are still made behind closed doors, keeping the public largely uninformed.
Practical Examples for IELTS Components
IELTS Speaking Part 2
Task: Describe a time when you were not informed about a decision that affected you.
Response: “A few months ago, my company decided to restructure the departments. Unfortunately, the decision was made behind closed doors, and the employees were only informed after everything was finalized.”
IELTS Writing Task 2
Prompt: Some people believe that government meetings should be made public. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Response: “On one hand, publicizing government meetings ensures transparency and public trust. However, some discussions must occur behind closed doors to protect national security and sensitive information.”
Combining “Behind Closed Doors” with Other Words
Using the idiom effectively involves combining it with other contextually appropriate words. Here are some examples:
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Negotiations
- The contract negotiations were conducted behind closed doors.
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Decisions
- Critical decisions regarding the merger took place behind closed doors.
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Meetings
- High-level meetings are often held behind closed doors to avoid media scrutiny.
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Discussions
- Behind closed doors, the board of directors has different agendas.
Related Idiomatic Expressions
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Keep under wraps: To keep something secret
- Example: The project details are being kept under wraps.
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Keep it hush-hush: To keep something very secret
- Example: The new product launch is kept hush-hush.
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Out of sight: Not visible or not drawing attention
- Example: Financial mistakes are best kept out of sight.
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Under the radar: Doing something quietly without drawing attention
- Example: The plan was carried out under the radar to avoid public backlash.
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Out of the public eye: Away from public visibility
- Example: The issue was dealt with out of the public eye to prevent panic.
Conclusion
Understanding and using phrases like “behind closed doors” can significantly improve your lexical resource in the IELTS exam. Keep practicing with similar expressions to ensure you can confidently and accurately use them in your test responses. You can also refer to related idioms like keeping things “off the record” to diversify your lexical range.
For further detail on related idioms, you might find the article on “off the record” useful for expanding your vocabulary toolkit for the IELTS exam.
Understanding and incorporating idioms will not only enhance your IELTS band score but also empower you with nuanced language skills essential for effective communication. Keep exploring and practicing—good luck!