Cracking the Code: Why Idioms are the Secret to OET Listening Part B Success

So, you’ve mastered your medical jargon. You know your myocardial infarction from your pulmonary oedema. But then, you sit for an OET Listening practice test, and you hear a nurse say she’s “snowed under”, or a doctor mention “the bottom line.” Suddenly, you’re confused. Is there a weather problem in the ward? Are they talking about a physical line on a chart?

In OET Listening Part B, you are tested on your ability to understand short, informal exchanges between healthcare colleagues. These conversations are full of idiomatic expressions, the natural way English speakers communicate under pressure. If you don't know them, you might miss the "gist" of the conversation and pick the wrong answer.

Let’s break down the essential idioms you need to know to move from a C+ to a B!

1. The "Workload" Idioms

Healthcare is busy. In Part B, you’ll often hear staff discussing how much they have to do.

• Run off my feet: Extremely busy.

   “I’ve been run off my feet with these new admissions.”

• Snowed under: Overwhelmed with too much work (often paperwork).
• Under the pump: Feeling the pressure of a deadline or a busy shift.
• Spread thin: Trying to do too many tasks at once with too little time or staff.

2. The "Communication" Idioms

These are vital for questions that ask about the purpose of a conversation or what two speakers agree on.

• On the same page: To have the same understanding or agreement.

   Eg: “We need to make sure the family and the surgical team are on the same page.”

• Touch base: To have a quick, brief conversation to update someone.
• Keep in the loop: To keep someone informed about updates.
• Word of mouth: Information passed through talking rather than official written reports

3. The "Decision & Risk" Idioms

These often appear when a doctor and nurse are discussing a tricky patient case.

• Err on the side of caution: To choose the safest course of action, even if it seems unnecessary.

Eg: “His vitals are stable, but let’s err on the side of caution and keep him overnight.”

• The bottom line: The most important fact or the final conclusion of a discussion.
• Call the shots: To be the one who makes the final decision (usually the Consultant).
• Play it by ear: To deal with a situation as it develops rather than having a fixed plan. 

4. The "Confusion & Problem-Solving" Idioms

• Get my head around (it): To struggle to understand a complex new idea or piece of equipment.
• Iron out the kinks: To fix small, minor problems in a new system.
• Back to square one: To have to start all over again because a previous attempt failed.
• A gray area: Something that is not clearly defined (e.g., an unclear hospital policy).

Why does this matter for your score?

OET Listening Part B doesn't usually ask you for a literal word you heard. It asks about intent.

Example Scenario:

A doctor says, "I'm a bit in the dark about the patient's history."

The question asks: What is the doctor's main concern?

(A) The room lighting is poor.

(B) He lacks the necessary information.

(C) He is unhappy with the previous shift.

If you know that "in the dark" means lacking information, you’ll instantly pick (B). Without knowing the idiom, you might get distracted by the other options.

Final Tip:  Don't Translate Literally!

We always tell our students: English idioms are like Malayalam metaphors. If you translate them word-for-word, they make no sense. You have to learn the vibe and the context.

Ready to Ace your OET?

Mastering these idioms is just the first step. Our expert trainers specialize in helping Malayali nurses bridge the gap between "textbook English" and "Exam English."

Book your 7-day free trail