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Worksheets

Idioms advanced 12

Total questions: 87

Worksheet time: 58mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
What does “it’s raining cats and dogs” really mean?
a)
Pets are falling from the sky.
b)
 I see cats and dogs outside.
c)
It’s raining hard today!
2.
What does “she has a green thumb” really mean?
a)
She is really good at gardening.
b)
She spilled green paint  on her thumb.
c)
Her fingernails are painted green.
3.
What does “he’s in hot water” really mean?
a)
His bath water was too hot.
b)
The water is boiling.
c)
He is in big trouble!
4.
What does “I’m all tied up” really mean?
a)
 I can tie a really good knot!
b)
I’m very busy right now.
c)
Help! Someone tied me up.
5.
What does “I’m all ears” really mean?
a)
I am listening very closely to what you have to say.
b)
My ears are too big.
c)
I can hear really well.
6.
What does “zip your lips” really mean?
a)
You need to be quiet.
b)
Your lips are chapped and you need some chap stick.
c)
Your zipper is stuck. 
7.
What does “he’s a couch potato” really mean?
a)
He is planting potatoes under the couch.
b)
He is eating a potato on the couch.
c)
He is lazy and doesn’t move a lot. 
8.
 What does “he got up on the wrong side of the bed” really mean?
a)
He hit his head when he got out of bed this morning.
b)
His bed is pushed up against the wall and he can only use one side.
c)
He has been grumpy since he woke up.
9.
What does “she has butterflies in her stomach” really mean?
a)
She has a nervous or anxious feeling.
b)
She swallowed a butterfly.
c)
She feels sick.
10.

Eric wants to get Chinese food. Lindsey wants to get Mexican food. But Marcy is on the fence.


What is the meaning of "on the fence?"

a)

She is sitting on a fence.

b)

She can't decide what she wants.

c)

She wants both Chinese and Mexican food.

d)

She doesn't like either type of food.

11.

Ken was caught red-handed when he tried to take a cookie before dinner. He thought nobody was watching.


What does it mean if you are "caught red-handed?"

a)

You were caught doing something naughty.

b)

Your hands were painted red.

c)

You were embarrassed.

d)

You got away with something naughty.

12.

I invited Cara to my party, but she still hasn't said if she's coming. She has left me hanging for two weeks!


What is the meaning of "Left me hanging?"

a)

You were left hanging on the monkey bars.

b)

You and your friend were having fun together.

c)

You were made to wait.

d)

You went to the party.

13.

We want to get a big dog, but Dad isn't sure. He says he'll sleep on it and tell us tomorrow.


What does it mean to "sleep on it?"

a)

To use the dog as a pillow.

b)

To get a good nights sleep.

c)

To think about it overnight.

d)

To dream about dogs.

14.

We all voted for a class pet today. Everyone had a different idea. Even the teacher put his two cents in.


What does it mean to "put your two cents in?"

a)

to share your opinion or what you think.

b)

to give someone 2 pennies.

c)

to do math in your head.

d)

to pay the money you owe.

15.

We couldn't wait to go outside and play. When class was over, we made a beeline for the door.


What is the meaning of "made a beeline?"

a)

made a line of bees to hang above the door.

b)

you were excited.

c)

to race your friend.

d)

moved quickly toward something.

16.

Dustin tried to make his own table. He didn't have a lot of time or money, so he had to cut corners. The table he made was not pretty!


What does it mean to "cut corners?"

a)

to find ways to save time or money.

b)

to cut the corners of a paper.

c)

to make an ugly table.

d)

to create a pretty picture.

17.

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

18.
He is one tough cookie.
a)
He eats a lot of cookies
b)
He likes cookies
c)
He works hard
19.
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.
20.
Carla put her foot in her mouth really means...
a)
Carla takes yoga classes.
b)
She said something embarrassing.
c)
Carla ate a snack.
21.
Which idiom goes the best with this sentence?
I'm tired. Let's go to bed.
a)
Let's hit the hay.
b)
He tried not to "make waves".
c)
Stuck between a rock and a hard place.
22.
at the end of your rope
a)
not having enough rope
b)
standing on the border of your property
c)
completely out of patience
d)
extremely happy
23.
bark up the wrong tree
a)
to have the wrong idea about something
b)
to go hunting but not find anything
c)
to search for a missing cat
d)
to be angry with a friend
24.
Mandy flew off the handle when I told her it was her fault that we lost the swimming contest.
a)
became confused
b)
dove off the diving board
c)
became angry
d)
flew into the air
25.

What does "rat race" mean?

a)

Fast pace, busy schedule, usually associated with living and working in the city

b)

You're embarrassed because you made a mistake and everyone knows about it.

c)

You feel that you need to spend your money at once.

d)

People who enjoy the same things, do the same things together

26.

What does "birds of a feather flock together" mean?

a)

People who enjoy the same things, do the same things together

b)

a barrel of laughs, a lot of fun

c)

Go away and stop bothering me.

d)

Fast pace, busy schedule, usually associated with living and working in the city

27.

What does "burn the candle on both ends" mean?

a)

Working too many hours without a break

b)

It is raining very hard.

c)

You feel very happy

d)

You're in big trouble

28.

What does "like finding a needle in the haystack" mean?

a)

looking for something small in a huge space

b)

sometimes it is easier to understand a picture than a description

c)

listening intently

d)

Everything is going your way

29.

What does "in the dog house" mean?

a)

You're in big trouble

b)

Everything is going your way

c)

listening intently

d)

It is raining very hard.

30.

What does "ants in your pants" mean?

a)

You are acting restless or impatient.

b)

Face the problem and take control of it.

c)

Do not wait or you could miss your opportunity.

d)

Feelings or emotions are easy to see on your face.

31.

What does "don't let the grass grow under your feet" mean?

a)

Do not wait or you could miss your opportunity.

b)

Face the problem and take control of it.

c)

You are acting restless or impatient.

d)

something is simple to do

32.

You'd better hit the books as the exam is coming soon.

a)

study

b)

learn by heart

c)

practice speaking

d)

write an essay

33.

I'll go to the funeral of Ms Jane, a _________ of mine.

a)

heart to heart

b)

body and soul

c)

flesh and blood

d)

skin and bones

34.

You'd better leave now if you want to arrive early for the exam. Break a leg!

a)

Good night

b)

Good luck

c)

Good bye

d)

Good job

35.

A: I think he'll pay you back your money.

B: When _________ fly.

a)

birds

b)

cats

c)

dogs

d)

pigs

36.

Although we argued with him for a long time, he ________ his ground.

a)

remained

b)

kept

c)

sat

d)

stood

37.

I can't go out this morning. I'm up to __________ in my report.

a)

ears

b)

eye

c)

feet

d)

fingers

38.

My watch was __________. Could you have the time?

a)

out of order

b)

out of work

c)

out of the blue

d)

out of reach

39.

I'm on friendly __________ my friends at my school.

a)

relationship

b)

term

c)

link

d)

contact

40.

The two boys look _________, but they are not brothers.

a)

similar to

b)

like

c)

alike

d)

same

41.

He is always full of ___________. He can play fooball all day without tiredness

a)

beans

b)

millet

c)

rice

d)

peaches

42.

You can talk till the _________ come home. You will never make me change my mind.

a)

sheep

b)

cows

c)

dogs

d)

chickens

43.

The play was a big hit!

a)

was a success

b)

was very long

44.

Losing that job was a blessing in disguise really


"A blessing in disguise" means?

a)

It seems to be good when you do something bad

b)

Bad or unlucky at first, but results in something good happening later

45.

"I'm getting a bit tired now - let's call it a day."


"Call it a day" means?

a)

to stop what you are doing because you do not want to do any more

b)

to call someone to tell you what is the day for today

46.

Work can get tough in the middle of a term but hang in there and it'll be OK.


"Hang in there" means?

a)

telling someone to don't go anywhere and stay wherever you

b)

telling someone to not give up, despite difficulties

47.

I’ve got a busy day tomorrow, so I think I’ll hit the sack


"Hit the sack" means?

a)

to continue doing another task

b)

to go to bed in order to sleep

48.

Did you hear what happened to Anna yesterday - oh, speak of the devil, here she is.


"speak of the devil" means?

a)

something you say when the person you were talking about appears unexpectedly

b)

something you say when an evil n cruel person appears in front of you

49.

The last straw was when the company fired most of the managers.


"The last straw" means?

a)

The final decision someone makes to solve problem

b)

the latest problem in a series of problems, that makes a situation impossible to accept

50.

A blessing in disguise means

a)

Not performing a task or duty correctly in order to save time or money

b)

Just barely making it

c)

A good thing that initially seemed bad

d)

You have to work hard in order to see results

51.

A dime a dozen means

a)

Something that is very common, not unique

b)

An issue, person, or problem that someone is trying to avoid

c)

Doing a good job, being prompt, or being responsible

d)

doing something that is pointless

52.

Getting a second wind means

a)

Something that is overpriced or very expensive

b)

Having energy again after being tired

c)

Something that is overpriced or very expensive

d)

A task or job that is easy to complete

53.

Giving someone the cold shoulder means

a)

Being in good health

b)

Doing something at the moment of being asked

c)

To not know something

d)

ignoring someone

54.

Throwing caution to the wind means

a)

Taking credit for someone else’s achievements

b)

Something that doesn’t happen very often

c)

Being reckless or taking a risk

d)

Having energy again after being tired

55.

Beating a dead horse means

a)

giving time or energy to something that is ended or over

b)

Just barely making it

c)

The choice or solution has all of the advantages of two contrasting things at the same time

d)

Not feeling well, or feeling sick

56.

Devil’s advocate means

a)

Believing someone’s story without proof even though it may seem unbelievable

b)

Not holding someone responsible for something

c)

A task or job that is easy to complete

d)

To take the side of the counter-argument, or offer an alternative point of view

57.

Once in a blue moon

a)

The last difficulty or annoyance that makes the entire situation unbearable

b)

Something that doesn’t happen very often

c)

Damaging a relationship beyond repair

d)

Things always get worse before they get better

58.

Like two peas in a pod means

a)

One person usually isn’t the only responsible party

b)

To fail in a spectacular manner

c)

An issue, person, or problem that someone is trying to avoid

d)

Two people who are always together

59.

Going on a wild goose chase means

a)

doing something that is pointless

b)

giving time or energy to something that is ended or over

c)

Making a choice between two unpleasant choices

d)

Sharing information that was intended to be a secret

60.

Hitting the nail on the head means

a)

Performing a task with exactness

b)

Hearing rumors about someone or something

c)

Doing a good job, being prompt, or being responsible

d)

Believing someone’s story without proof even though it may seem unbelievable

61.

Heard it on the grapevine means

a)

Joking with someone

b)

Damaging a relationship beyond repair

c)

Hearing rumors about someone or something

d)

Something has momentum and builds on each other, much like rolling a snowball down a hill to make it bigger

62.

By the skin of your teeth means

a)

Not judging something by its initial appearance

b)

Just barely making it

c)

To get an unfavorable situation or chore over with now because it will need to get finished eventually

d)

The choice or solution has all of the advantages of two contrasting things at the same time

63.

Don’t count your chickens before they hatch means

a)

Not performing a task or duty correctly in order to save time or money

b)

Making a choice between two unpleasant choices

c)

To make a bad situation even worse

d)

Not to count on something happening until after it’s already happened

64.

Costs an arm and a leg means

a)

Something that is overpriced or very expensive

b)

Not feeling well, or feeling sick

c)

Being treated the way that you have been treating others

d)

Not holding someone responsible for something

65.

Letting the cat out of the bag means

a)

ou have to work hard in order to see results

b)

Doing a good job, being prompt, or being responsible

c)

Reading or hearing something from the source

d)

Sharing information that was intended to be a secret

66.

The last straw means

a)

A task or job that is easy to complete

b)

The last difficulty or annoyance that makes the entire situation unbearable

c)

To not know something

d)

Being reckless or taking a risk

67.

Having your head in the clouds means

a)

Something that you never forget how to do

b)

Day dreaming, not paying attention

c)

To fail in a spectacular manner

d)

Someone who is acting crazy or not thinking rationally

68.

Go down in flames means

a)

To fail in a spectacular manner

b)

Things always get worse before they get better

c)

Everyone experiences hard and good times

d)

Enduring a trial or hardship

69.

You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink

a)

Two people who are always together

b)

Work faster or more efficiently

c)

Day dreaming, not paying attention

d)

You can’t force someone to make what is seemingly the right decision

70.

Throwing caution to the wind means

a)

Taking credit for someone else’s achievements

b)

Something that doesn’t happen very often

c)

Being reckless or taking a risk

d)

Having energy again after being tired

71.

Like two peas in a pod means

a)

One person usually isn’t the only responsible party

b)

To fail in a spectacular manner

c)

An issue, person, or problem that someone is trying to avoid

d)

Two people who are always together

72.

Hitting the nail on the head means

a)

Performing a task with exactness

b)

Hearing rumors about someone or something

c)

Doing a good job, being prompt, or being responsible

d)

Believing someone’s story without proof even though it may seem unbelievable

73.

Heard it on the grapevine means

a)

Joking with someone

b)

Damaging a relationship beyond repair

c)

Hearing rumors about someone or something

d)

Something has momentum and builds on each other, much like rolling a snowball down a hill to make it bigger

74.

Don’t count your chickens before they hatch means

a)

Not performing a task or duty correctly in order to save time or money

b)

Making a choice between two unpleasant choices

c)

To make a bad situation even worse

d)

Not to count on something happening until after it’s already happened

75.

Letting the cat out of the bag means

a)

ou have to work hard in order to see results

b)

Doing a good job, being prompt, or being responsible

c)

Reading or hearing something from the source

d)

Sharing information that was intended to be a secret

76.

If you take something with a pinch of salt,

a)

you don't completely believe something because you think it's probably not true

b)

you like your food to be salty

c)

you think something might bring you bad luck

77.

If you go the extra mile,

a)

you are willing to make a special effort to achieve something

b)

you walk a bit more although you are tired just to prove that you can

c)

you put yourself in a tough position in order to support someone

78.

A "bull in a china shop" means:

a)

bulls living in China.

b)

people fighting.

c)

children having a tea party.

d)

a clumsy person.

79.
Slipped my mind means:
a)
slipped over my head
b)
my mind is slipping
c)
I took a drink
d)
I forgot
80.

I'm retired now. It has given me a new.............

a)

page of life

b)

life

c)

chapter of life

d)

lease of life

81.

We didn't like his idea. It ............ like a lead balloon.

a)

fell down

b)

knocked down

c)

decreased

d)

went down

82.

Becoming a policeman? The thought never......... my mind.

a)

came in

b)

came up in

c)

crossed

d)

appeared in

83.

I can't go out with you although I want to. I'm all at .....

a)

six and seven

b)

sixth and seven

c)

sixes and sevens

d)

sixteen and seventeen

84.
Every cloud has a silver lining
a)
Be optimistic, even difficult times will lead to better days.
b)
You are not very good at something. You could definitely not do it professionally.
c)
Believe someone's statement, without proof.
d)
Keep something away.
85.

What is the actual meaning of "Feeling Blue?"

a)

You died your hair blue.

b)

You're swimming in the ocean.

c)

You're very serious

d)

You're feeling sad

86.

What does it mean to "Get a kick out of..."

a)

to kick someone

b)

to dislike something

c)

to enjoy something or take pleasure in

d)

someone kicks you

87.

What does it mean to "play it by ear?"

a)

to know something already

b)

to learn by listening

c)

to turn on the radio

d)

to play with your ears