Common Core Practice: Idiomatic Expressions and Proverbs

What is meant by the idiom hit the ceiling in the below sentence?

If Wendy's dad found out that she took her cell phone to school, he would hit the ceiling.

• Wendy's dad will jump high.

• Wendy's dad will be very angry.

• Wendy's dad will laugh loudly.

• Wendy's dad will congratulate her.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5B

CCSS.L.5.5B

What is meant by the idiom swallow your pride?

I think that you need to swallow your pride and apologize to your teacher for talking in class.

• to swallow hard

• to deny doing something

• to forget about being embarrassed

• to pretend you are sorry

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5B

CCSS.L.5.5B

What does the idiom 'walking on air' mean?

Mindy was walking on air after she went backstage and met Adam Levine.

• Mindy was floating through the air.

• Mindy was dreaming.

• Mindy was in a state of bliss.

• Mind was disappointed.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5B

CCSS.L.5.5B

What is the meaning of 'play it by ear' in the below sentence?

I am not sure how long I will stay at the dance. I'm going to play it by ear.

• Play a musical instrument without sheet music.

• As you see how things go decide rather than making plans.

• Listen for someone to tell you what to do.

• Think carefully before making a decision.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5B

CCSS.L.5.5B

What does the idiom 'like a chicken with its head cut off' mean?

After winning a million dollars, Kelly was running around like a chicken with its head cut off.

• to act in a calm manner

• to be bleeding profusely

• to run around clucking and flapping your arms

• to act in a frenzied manner

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5B

CCSS.L.5.5B

What does 'down in the dumps' mean in the sentence?

Jackie was not very happy. Not only did she lose her favorite necklace, but she also learned that her best friend was going to sleep-away camp for the whole summer while she had to go to summer school. Jackie really felt down in the dumps.

• sad

• bringing the garbage to the end of the driveway

• excited

• flabbergasted

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5B

CCSS.L.5.5B

What does a 'little white lie' mean in the sentence?

Amy's aunt spent months knitting a scarf for Amy. When Amy received the present and looked at it, she really didn't like the colors. She couldn't let her aunt know that she was disappointed after all of her aunt's hard work, so she told a little white lie instead.

• huge mad up story

• truth

• lie that is told to avoid hurting someone's feelings

• the lie was painted white

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.5A

What does 'cut corners' mean in the sentence?

The renovations the Johnsons were making on the house were getting too expensive. The Johnsons wanted the very best, but they didn't have enough money to pay for it. Their architect came to speak with them. "You have some great ideas, but we're going to need to cut corners. We may have to change some of the original plans to save money; otherwise we won't be able to finish the house."

• cut the edges of the play's program

• clip some coupons

• use money wisely and try to save by spending only what is necessary

• mow the lawn

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5B

CCSS.L.5.5B

What does the idiom 'Half a loaf is better than none' mean?

• You can't judge a person's character by how he or she looks.

• You usually do better than others if you get there ahead of others.

• This means having something is better than not having anything at all.

• Mind your own business and let others mind theirs.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5B

CCSS.L.5.5B

What does the idiom "Beauty is only skin deep' mean?

• If something unfortunate happens, it usually won't happen again.

• Take care of a small problem before it becomes a big one.

• A picture can explain things better than words.

• You can't judge a person's character by how he or she looks.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5B

CCSS.L.5.5B