#IELTS writing: idiomatic items

If you've scrutinized the band descriptors, you will have seen the word "idiomatic." The screenshot shows "Lexical Resource" band 8.

Don't let "idiomatic" confuse you. This word does not mean "using idioms." Or rather -- it does not mean just that.

Make sure you know the second meaning:

1. Collins dictionary: idiomatic = using words in a way that sounds natural to native speakers of the language

2. Cambridge dictionary: idiomatic = containing expressions that are natural and correct

Some examples from IELTS Writing Task 1:

1️⃣

✅ Natural and correct:

The vast / overwhelming majority of the attendees have a PhD degree.

❌ Clear, but not natural or correct:

The wide / astronomical majority of the attendees have a PhD degree.

2️⃣

✅ Natural and correct in a report:

The team is predominantly composed of PhD-degree holders.

❌ Natural in colloquial speech, but unnatural in a report:

- The team consists of a whole bunch of PhD degree holders.
- The lion’s share of the team members have a PhD degree.

Over to you.

Rewrite this sentence from an overview in a way that would be idiomatic (natural and correct) in IELTS Writing Task 1:

The number of runners who aren't exactly spring chickens shot up insanely and in your face -- these oldies even overtook the younglings, by a sliver though.

(Picture in comments). ⬇️