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Worksheets

Idioms and Proverbs

Total questions: 60

Worksheet time: 1hrs 2mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth means...

a)

He was born to a rich family

b)

He was born hungry

c)

He was born with teeth

2.
You are the cat's meow.
a)
You have soft voice
b)
You are something special
c)
Your voice is raspy
3.
Which idiom goes the best with this sentence?
John met the President.
a)
John rubbed elbows with the President
b)
John was a cheetah
c)
John pulled the wool over his eyes.
4.
He likes to toot his own horn really means...
a)
He talks loudly.
b)
He plays in a band.
c)
He brags all the time.
5.
The boy "cried wolf" means...
a)
He asked for help when he didn't need it.
b)
He shouted very loudly.
c)
He complained all the time.
6.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
a)
If you're asking for a favor from someone else, you have to take whatever they give you.
b)
If someone's helping out out, be careful not to make them made.
c)
Different people have different ideas about what is beautiful
d)
Wait until you've already succeeded and then you can think about what to do next.
7.
Actions speak louder than words.
a)
People like to sped time with others who are similar to them.
b)
Don't criticize other people if you're not perfect yourself.
c)
Just saying that you will do something doesn't mean much.  Actually doing it is harder and more meaningful.
d)
When someone has done something bad to you, trying to get revenge will only made things worse.
8.
The pen is mightier than the sword. 
a)
Don't criticize other people if you're not perfect yourself. 
b)
Trying to convince people with ideas and words is more effective than trying to force people to do what you want.
c)
People like to spend time with others who are similar to them.
d)
When someone has done something bad to you, trying to to force people to do what you want.
9.
The early bird catches the worm
a)
Birds eat a lot of worms when they are hungry
b)
Accomplish two tasks by one action
c)
Whoever arrives first has the best chance for success
d)
None of the above
10.
Slow and steady wins the ______
a)
Ribbon
b)
Taste
c)
Race
d)
Apple
11.
Birds of a ________ flock together. 
a)
Clique
b)
Group
c)
Wing
d)
Feather
12.
There's no use crying over _______ milk.
a)
old
b)
spilt
c)
yummy
d)
gross
13.
No news is good _____
a)
Newspaper
b)
Because
c)
Pasta
d)
News
14.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away
a)
All other fruit is bad for you
b)
Doctors say to eat apples
c)
Eating healthy keeps you from getting sick
d)
Apple gummies do not count
15.
I'm like a fish out of water.
a)
Fish are always in water
b)
Fish in a Tree
c)
I am very comfortable
d)
I feel uncomfortable
16.
You're barking up the wrong tree
a)
You are asking the wrong person
b)
Trees have bark on them
c)
To tell your dog to stop barking
d)
Accomplish two tasks with one action
17.
see eye to eye
a)
to disagree strongly
b)
to be examined by an optometrist
c)
to be exactly the same height
d)
to be in complete agreement
18.
Yes, we made a mistake, but there's no point in crying _______.
a)
in the garden
b)
over the bench
c)
in the house
d)
over spilled milk
19.
Why do author's use idioms?
a)
To make their writing more interesting.
b)
To confuse the audience.
c)
To be mean.
d)
To cause frustration in the reader.
20.
The students could not go outside because it was raining cats and dogs.
Raining cats and dogs means:
a)
It is sunny weather.
b)
Cats and dogs are falling from the sky
c)
It is raining hard.
d)
You are at the zoo.
21.
Which proverb advises people to be cautious?
a)
time destroys all things
b)
rain does not fall on one roof alone
c)
restless feet may walk into a snake pit
d)
the fool is thirsty in the midst of water
22.
What is an Idiom?
a)
An old wise saying
b)
A word or phrase that has a different meaning than what is being said
c)
A literal statement that means what it says
d)
None of these answers
23.
What do these idioms, adages, and proverbs mean?
Don't put all your eggs in one basket
a)
When you go to the store use two baskets for your eggs
b)
Don't put all of your resources in the same place
c)
You are happier when you don't know something
d)
You need to go to the store to get some eggs
24.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
a)
If a bad thing is done to you, do not do something bad as a response.
b)
A person often realizes how much they care for someone when they are apart.
25.
Which of the following is the correct definition of a proverb or adage?
a)
A group of words that do not really mean what they say 
b)
Comparing two unlike words using "like" or "as"
c)
An old saying that is believed to be true and is meant to be advice on how to live
d)
Comparing two unlike words not using "like" or "as"
26.

Stephen hit the nail on the head when he said that what the company was lacking in was clear vision and focus.

What does this mean?

a)

Stephen was nailing in nails with a hammer.

b)

What Stephen said was exactly right.

c)

Stephen offended the company.

d)

Stephen desired to be CEO.

27.

You cannot leave the kitten because it was rude to you. Two wrongs don’t make a right. What does this mean?

a)

Just because the kitten did something bad doesn't mean you should also.

b)

It's okay to do something bad if it's done to you first.

c)

If the kitten had been nicer then you could be nice to it.

d)

It's always good to take care of kittens.

28.

Joe was very curious about where Sarah was getting all her money from, but all she said was that curiosity killed the cat. What does this mean?

a)

Joe needs to be careful - being too inquisitive could get him into trouble

b)

Joe's cat could die.

c)

Sarah is going to tell Joe where she gets her money.

d)

Joe should ask more questions to get to the bottom of this.

29.

The lawyers who attended the seminar were like birds of a feather flocking together. They have not even spoken to anyone outside their group. What does this mean?

a)

These lawyers share similar beliefs and experiences from the seminar so they are sticking together.

b)

These lawyers enjoy bird watching; the birds' feathers are beautiful to them.

c)

These lawyers love meeting new people.

d)

These lawyers can't wait to go to another seminar.

30.

The admissions in this college get filled in very early. If you really want to enroll your son here then you should remember that the early bird gets the worm. What does this mean?

a)

If they enroll their son early, he has a better chance of getting in.

b)

Birds get all of their worms to eat early in the morning.

c)

There are a lot of worms out in the early hours because of the dew on the ground.

d)

Their son doesn't have a good chance of getting into that college.

31.

He gave his old car as a gift; I know its not a great one, but I wouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth. What does this mean?

a)

the person who received the car should be grateful for what they got - even if it wasn't the best car.

b)

It would have been better had the man given away his horse instead of his car.

c)

It's best to not stare.

d)

It makes sense that they're not happy with the car - it's an old one.

32.

The issue of gun control is a political hot potato in the United States. What does this mean?

a)

Hot potatoes can be just as harmful as guns.

b)

Gun control is an issue that a lot of people can't agree on.

c)

Once people start talking about gun control, they can't stop.

d)

People usually like talking about gun control whenever they're eating food.

33.

I was already getting late for work stuck in the traffic, and to add insult to injury, I was stopped by the police for speeding. What does this mean?

a)

Your situation of being stuck in traffic was worsened when you got pulled over by the cops.

b)

When people insult us, it hurts.

c)

Because you were stuck in traffic, you got pulled over.

d)

When we get stuck in traffic, injuries occur.

34.

Dustin was always ready to go fishing at the drop of a hat.

What does this mean?

a)

Dustin is always ready to go fishing without hesitation.

b)

Dustin always drops his hat in the water when he fishes.

c)

Dustin is afraid of dropping his hat.

d)

Dustin always drops his hat when people mention fishing.

35.

I tried to apologize to my friend but have not heard back from them. The ball is in their court. What does this mean?

a)

You like to play sports with your friend.

b)

You got in an argument over sports.

c)

It is up to your friend to take the next step to fix your friendship.

d)

You need to do something to fix your friendship.

36.

I am not the person who spread those rumors about you, you are barking up the wrong tree. What does this mean?

a)

This person is accusing the wrong person - you did not spread the rumors.

b)

You did spread the rumors and are hoping to get out of it.

c)

You're afraid of dogs and don't want to be barked at.

d)

You don't want to be barked at for spreading rumors.

37.

The invention of internet has changed the way we live; it is the best thing since sliced bread. What does this mean?

a)

The internet is a great invention

b)

Sliced bread is better than the internet

c)

The internet is just as common as sliced bread.

d)

The internet hasn't done a lot for us.

38.

You must visit that restaurant; the food is really good, and it doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg. What does this mean?

a)

The food is priced right - it's not too expensive.

b)

The food isn't that good.

c)

Not a lot of people eat at this restaurant.

d)

This restaurant has given people food poisoning before.

39.

My mom often had to cut corners when we were kids in order to feed all of us. What does this mean?

a)

Your mom had to do things in the cheapest way possible in order for everyone to eat.

b)

Your mom broke all the rules.

c)

Your mom didn't feed you.

d)

There were many days you didn't eat.

40.

If I were you, I wouldn’t give up the day job; you’re never going to be a dancer. What does this mean?

a)

You're not very good at dancing.

b)

You're a fabulous dancer.

c)

You should consider getting a new job.

d)

Dancing is from your heart.

41.

I don’t believe that he didn’t take the money, but I will give him the benefit of the doubt until I can prove otherwise.

What does this mean?

a)

I will trust him even though I have my doubts.

b)

He would have never taken the money.

c)

He probably took the money.

d)

If he needs the money, it's okay to take it.

42.

I know that you job is not going well and you are stressed out, but don’t worry, things will be better soon. Every cloud has a silver lining. What does this mean?

a)

Something good is sure to come of this hard time.

b)

Don't worry. Be happy.

c)

It's normal to be stressed out.

d)

It looks like it's going to rain.

43.

Rosa decided to hit the books to prepare for the test.

a)

getting revenge doesn't make a situation better

b)

to study

c)

lost confidence

d)

solve a problem now

44.

Even though her brother was mean to her, Marta treated him kindly because two wrongs don't make a right.

a)

getting revenge doesn't make a situation better

b)

to study

c)

lost confidence

d)

solve a problem now

45.

Jim got cold feet and decided not to go to the party.

a)

getting revenge doesn't make a situation better

b)

to study

c)

lost confidence

d)

solve a problem now

46.

I hoped that Ivan could fix my bike. He spends day and night repairing things.

a)

a person improves by trying

b)

a lot of time

c)

feeling bad

d)

a lot of money

e)

was really happy

47.

He always says that practice makes perfect. That's why he can fix almost anything.

a)

a person improves by trying

b)

a lot of time

c)

feeling bad

d)

a lot of money

e)

was really happy

48.

When Ivan fixed my bike, I was on cloud nine!

a)

a person improves by trying

b)

a lot of time

c)

feeling bad

d)

a lot of money

e)

was really happy

49.

Ivan and his dad like to fix things. Ivan said, "I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

a)

Ivan and his dad have similar interests and abilities

b)

Ivan and his dad spend their time together fixing things.

c)

Ivan and his dad are slowly becoming very similar people

d)

Ivan and his dad climb trees to pick and toss down apples.

50.

I was afraid to tell Mom that I broke the TV, but I know that honesty is the best policy.

a)

Telling the truth is difficult to do.

b)

Telling the truth is the right thing to do.

c)

Honesty does not come naturally to most people

d)

Honesty causes problems for people who are close to each other.

51.

Ivan fixed our TV, so I am planning a surprise party to thank him. If you see Ivan, don't let the cat out of the bag.

a)

Nobody else should plan another party to thank Ivan for fixing the TV.

b)

Nobody should tell Ivan about the party being secretly planned for him.

c)

Only those people specifically invited to the party should come to the party.

d)

People should keep the cat away from the party because Ivan is allergic to cats.

52.

Choose the correct meaning of each underlined proverb or adage.


I promised to run every day, but that was easier said than done.

a)

easily said

b)

easily done

c)

easier to talk about than to do

d)

easier to run than to promise

53.

Choose the correct meaning of each underlined proverb or adage.


Then I though, "If I want to be a good runner, I have to practive. I know that practice makes perfect!"

a)

Being perfect is important.

b)

You must practice perfectly.

c)

You must practive something every day.

d)

Practicing is the way to get good at something.

54.

Choose the correct meaning of each underlined proverb or adage.


When I won my first race, I gave credit where credit was due, and I thanked Omar for helping me.

a)

used a credit card to pay a bill

b)

gave thanks to someone who deserved it

c)

gave money that was owed to someone

d)

had to give away a prize

55.

Choose the correct meaning of each underlined idiom.


I was all ears when Mai shared her news.

a)

feeling my ears grow

b)

getting a headache

c)

listening carefuly

d)

unable to hear

56.

Choose the correct meaning of each underlined idiom.


I held my tongue even though I knew that mai probably found out from her mom, our school principal.

a)

kept quiet

b)

grabbed my tongue

c)

stuck out my tongue

d)

made a funny face

57.

Choose the correct meaning of each underlined idiom.


Mai continued, "Let's put our heads together and think of something to contribute to the auction."

a)

whisper quietly

b)

sit next to one another

c)

work together to make a plan

d)

put our heads on the table

58.

Choose the correct meaning of each underlined idiom.


Mai is head and shoulders above me at cooking. I suggested taht she bake a cake to seel at the auction.

a)

much taller than I am

b)

much better than I am

c)

standing above me

d)

faster than I am

59.

"I can't get this door open, can you lend me a hand?" Kyle said.

What does "lend a hand" mean?

a)

to let someone borrow something

b)

to help someone out

c)

to spend time with someone

d)

to be in trouble

60.
What is the meaning of the idiom, on the same page?
a)
thinking alike or understanding something in the same way as others
b)
to start over, usually because something has failed
c)
to know nearly everything about a topic
d)
when real life events seem more unusual or harder to believe than the things people make up

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