Idioms, Adages, and Proverbs

Idioms, Adages and Proverbs

Additional Practice

What are the meanings of the following phrases?

Multiple Choice

You have butterflies in your stomach.

• You feel very nervous.

• To do something very well, you need to practice and practice.

• A job is easier and goes more quickly if a lot of people help.

Multiple Choice

Don't put the cart before the horse.

• Read the directions and follow them carefully.

• You'll have to admit that what you said was wrong.

• Don't be impatient and start doing things in the wrong order.

Multiple Choice

Many hands make light work.

• A job is easier and goes more quickly if a lot of people help.

• It's hard to make someone change when he or she has been doing something the same way for a long time.

• The only way to carry somethig heavy is if you have more than one person.

Proverbs

• Proverbs are short, wise sayings that people have been repeating for a long time.

• Proverb Example: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

• Proverb Meaning: You should be satisfied with what you have.

Adages

• An adage is a well-known proverb that is usually a metaphor.

• Example adage: Haste makes waste.

• Adage meaning: When you hurry, you make mistakes.

Idioms

• An idiom is a phrase or sentence that doesn't mean exactly what it says.

• Idiom example: It's raining cats and dogs.

• Idiom meaning: It is raining really hard.

Practice

Use what you have learned to determine if each statement is an idiom or adage/proverb.

Multiple Choice

Many hands make light work.

• idiom

• adage/proverb

Multiple Choice

You hit the nail on the head.

• idiom

• adage/proverb

Multiple Choice

Hope springs eternal.

• idiom

• adage/proverb

Multiple Choice

You have butterflies in your stomach.

• idiom

• adage/proverb

Multiple Choice

You've been saved by the bell.

• idiom

• adage/proverb

Multiple Choice

Don't you put the cart before the horse.

• idiom

• adage/proverb