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Worksheets

idioms

Total questions: 101

Worksheet time: 3585secs

Name
Class
Date
1.

Barking up the wrong tree

a)

Looking in the wrong place. Accusing the wrong person

b)

Being mean for no reason

c)

Taking something that doesn't belong to you

d)

Talking to someone very quickly

2.

What does it really mean: "Go break a leg!"

a)
Do a bad job
b)
Break your leg
c)
Do well
3.

What does it really mean: "There are butterflies in my stomach!' 

a)
I'm sad
b)
I'm loving
c)
I'm happy
d)
I'm nervous
4.

What does it really mean: "She was pulling my leg."

a)
She grabbed my leg and tugged on it.
b)
She hurt my leg.
c)
She was joking with me. 
5.

What does it really mean? "It's a piece of cake."

a)
Something is easy.
b)
Something is delicious.
c)
Something is soft and warm. 
6.

What is a couch potato?

a)
A person who likes to eat potatoes on the couch.
b)
A potato pillow.
c)
A person who likes to sit and watch tv on the couch.
d)
A person who likes to play hot potato.
7.

What does it mean to say: "It's raining cats and dogs!"?

a)
Cats and dogs are falling from the sky.
b)
It's raining very heavily.
c)
We are having a tornado.
d)
Animals have learned to fly.
8.

What is an idiom?

a)
A bird?
b)
A device used to confuse the reader.
c)
A word or phrase that does not mean what it says.
d)
A group of words that begin with the same sound.
9.

My friend is a pain in the neck.

a)
My friend's neck hurts.
b)
My friend needs help.
c)
My friend went to the hospital.
d)
My friend can be hard to get along with sometimes.
10.

That boy is in the doghouse.

a)
The boy is sitting in a doghouse.
b)
The boy is happy.
c)
The boy is getting a reward.
d)
The boy is in trouble.
11.

Which idiom goes the best with this sentence?
She memorized something.

a)
You're the apple of my eye.
b)
Knows it by heart
c)
She took me under her wing.
12.

You are the cat's meow.

a)
You have soft voice
b)
You are something special
c)
Your voice is raspy
13.

He is one tough cookie.

a)
He eats a lot of cookies
b)
He likes cookies
c)
He works hard
14.

You are the cat's meow.

a)
You have soft voice
b)
You are something special
c)
Your voice is raspy
15.

Carla put her foot in her mouth really means...

a)
Carla takes yoga classes.
b)
She said something embarrassing.
c)
Carla ate a snack.
16.

What does the idiom "fish out of water" mean?

a)

to be a fish out of water

b)

to jump out of something

c)

to feel bad

d)

to feel like you don't belong

17.

After I made an A on the test, I felt like I was "on top of the world!"

a)

to be standing on top of a mountain

b)

to feel upset

c)

to be in outerspace

d)

to feel overjoyed

18.

I've never really enjoyed going to the ballet or the opera; they're not really my "cup of tea."

a)

something you enjoy

b)

a drink

c)

a cup and saucer

d)

something you hate

19.

What does the idiom "play it by ear" mean?

a)

to listen to something

b)

to not create set plans

c)

to play music that you've listened to once

d)

play a game with ears

20.

What does the idiom "read between the lines" mean?

a)

to look between two lines

b)

to read words

c)

to infer or figure out the meaning using clues

d)

to read something while between two lines

21.

What does "cost an arm and a leg" mean?

a)

to pay with an arm and leg

b)

to cost a lot of money

c)

to give someone a lot money

d)

to buy an arm and a leg

22.

What does the idiom "icing on the cake" mean?

a)

to put frosting on a cake

b)

to freeze something

c)

to give someone a gift

d)

something extra or a nice surprise

23.

What does "out of the blue" mean?

a)

to turn blue

b)

to fall out of the sky

c)

to be unexpected

d)

to come out of the ocean

24.

What does it mean to give someone the "cold shoulder?"

a)

To make someone cold

b)

Someone feels that they need a sweater

c)

to be nice to someone

d)

to ignore somebody

25.

Cut to the chase.  

a)
You cut something with a knife.
b)
Get to the point.  Tell me what you need!
c)
You were cut by something else. 
d)
You chased another person.
26.

Keep your chin up really means...

a)
Don't feel bad. Stay positive.
b)
Don't look down.
c)
You did horrible.
27.

Which idiom goes the best with this sentence?
She memorized something.

a)
You're the apple of my eye.
b)
Knows it by heart
c)
She took me under her wing.
28.

Those shoes COST AN ARM AND A LEG!

a)

they are expensive

b)

they are yellow

c)

they go on both feet

d)

they are cheap

29.

BREAK A LEG!

a)

Don't cheat!

b)

I hope you break your bones.

c)

Good luck!

d)

Watch where you are walking.

30.

Sam's sister was always STEALING HER THUNDER on the dance floor.

a)

taking away the attention

b)

getting struck by lightning

c)

stealing her clothes

d)

working together

31.

Jim told his daughter that she was the APPLE OF HIS EYE.

a)

They make apple pie and put it in their eyes.

b)

They eat apples together.

c)

He doesn't like being with his daughter.

d)

She is extremely important to her dad.

32.

William will keep his room clean WHEN PIGS FLY.

a)

he always keeps it clean

b)

his room is never clean

c)

he likes to clean

d)

he asks his sister to clean

33.

I only get to visit my grandparents ONCE IN A BLUE MOON.

a)

once a while

b)

every year

c)

whenever I want

d)

all the time

34.

It is RAINING CATS AND DOGS!

a)

It's been raining all day.

b)

It's raining heavily.

c)

It's not raining.

d)

There are scattered thunderstorms.

35.

You're talking a HUNDRED MILES A MINUTE!

a)

jumbled

b)

slow

c)

fast

36.

After I made an A on the test, I felt like I was ON TOP OF THE WORLD!

a)

excited

b)

upset

c)

disappointed

d)

confused

37.

I was about to go on stage and had BUTTERFLIES IN MY STOMACH.

a)

sick

b)

bugs crawled inside of me

c)

mad

d)

nervous

38.

That was a PIECE OF CAKE!

a)

hard

b)

easy

c)

messy

d)

fun

39.
Which idiom literally describes the image?
a)
Let the cat out of the bag
b)
Give someone a hand
c)
Be in the same boat
d)
Eat like a horse
40.
Which idiom literally describes the image?
a)
Give someone a hand
b)
Eat like a horse
c)
Cost an arm and a leg
d)
Be blue in the face
41.
What is an idiom?
a)
A bird?
b)
A device used to confuse the reader.
c)
A word or phrase that does not mean what it says.
d)
A group of words that begin with the same sound.
42.
Which idiom literally describes the image?
a)
Cost an arm and a leg
b)
Be all ears
c)
See eye to eye
d)
Give someone a hand
43.

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.

d)

Wolves were his favorite animals.

44.

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.

d)

Move it or lose it!

45.

He is one tough cookie.

a)

He eats a lot of cookies.

b)

He likes cookies.

c)

He works hard.

d)

He is upset.

46.

Which idiom goes the best with this sentence?

I have a problem.

a)

It's raining cats and dogs!

b)

I'm in a pickle.

c)

Don't put all of your eggs in one basket.

d)

Break a leg!

47.
Turn over a new leaf
a)
Start over
b)
Turning a leaf on a back side
c)
Getting a new leaf
d)
Step back
48.
On thin ice
a)
Cold
b)
In trouble
c)
Walking carefully
d)
Hot
49.
Get the show on the road
a)
Put a play on a road
b)
Watch TV on the road
c)
Get started
d)
Watch a show about a  road
50.
He is one tough cookie.
a)
He eats a lot of cookies
b)
He likes cookies
c)
He works hard
51.

What is this idiom?

a)

I let the cat out of the bag

b)

I have butterflies in my stomach

c)

Actions speak louder then words

d)

The ball is in your court

52.

Idioms are...

a)

Literal

b)

Figurative

53.

If you let the cat out of the bag,

a)

you accidentally reveal a secret

b)

you create a problem

c)

you pretend to be someone you are not and you are discovered

54.

If you are over the moon,

a)

you become serious about something

b)

you are very pleased about something

c)

you are very angry with someone

55.

If you say that something is a piece of cake,

a)

it is very good but very few people know it

b)

it is very easy to do

c)

it is very sweet

56.

If you hit the sack,

a)

you win the lottery

b)

you give up a sport because you feel you are not good enough

c)

you go to bed because you are very tired

57.

If you feel under the weather,

a)

you feel frustrated

b)

you feel ill

c)

you feel sad

58.

If you say that something costs an arm and a leg,

a)

it is extremely cheap

b)

it is not worth the money

c)

it is very expensive

59.

What does a "piece of cake" mean?

a)

Being in trouble

b)

Being worried

c)

Something very easy

d)

Something very difficult.

60.

When someone says "actions speak louder than words" it means...

a)

everyone needs to speak loudly

b)

people should be careful of their actions

c)

What you do is not important

d)

What you do is more important than what you say

61.

To "miss the boat" means to...

a)

to miss someone

b)

to be really excited about something

c)

miss out on an opportunity

d)

to challenge yourself

62.

What does it mean to "bite off more than you can chew?"

a)

Trying to accomplish a task that is too big for you

b)

Trying to avoid a situation

c)

To eat too much junk food

d)

To eat food that is too big for your mouth

63.

To "spill the beans" means to...

a)

to avoid someone

b)

to cry a lot

c)

to keep a secret

d)

to tell a secret

64.

What is a "bed of roses?"

a)

A bed filled with flowers

b)

A hard situation

c)

An easy situation

d)

An easy test

65.

What does it mean to "beat around the bush?"

a)

To get upset over something

b)

To confront someone who has a problem

c)

To go for a walk in a park

d)

To avoid talking about something

66.

What does "cry over spilled milk" mean?

a)

To be upset about something that can't be changed

b)

Accidentally spilling a liquid

c)

Slipping and falling over milk

d)

When your tears look like milk

67.

What does it mean to "get cold feet?"

a)

To have cold feet.

b)

To wear socks.

c)

To have really warm feet.

d)

To be nervous.

68.

What is an idiom?

a)

Words that have different meanings.

b)

A device used to confuse the reader.

c)

A word or phrase that does not mean what it says.

d)

A group of words that begin with the same sound.

69.

If something "costs an arm and a leg" it means

a)

Something really hurts your arms and legs

b)

It is really expensive

c)

Being treated the way that you have been treating others

d)

Not holding someone responsible for something

70.

"Once in a blue moon" means

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

71.

"A dime a dozen" means

a)

Something that is very common or not valuable

b)

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

c)

Doing a good job, being prompt, or being responsible

d)

Having a lot of money

72.

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 trouble

d)

He is really worried.

73.

What does "all ears" mean?

a)

listening carelly

b)

Everything is going your way

c)

You're in big trouble

d)

You feel very happy

74.

Don’t worry, class. Solving this maths problem is by no means a ___order

                                                  

              

a)

    deep 

b)

high    

c)

large   

d)

tall

75.

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word(s) OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined word(s) in each of the following questions.

It’s about time you pulled your socks up and started working seriously. Your final exams are coming.

              

a)

  studied harder  

b)

got furious    

c)

became lazy

d)

     lost confidence

76.

When the visitor saw with her own eyes the beach covered with tons of plastic rubbish washed up from around the world, a chill went down her _______.

a)

spine   

b)

bone     

c)

mind        

d)

brain

77.

Those shoes COST AN ARM AND A LEG!

a)

they are yellow

b)

they are cheap

c)

they are expensive

d)

they go on both feet

78.

Brian was feeling UNDER THE WEATHER.

a)

happy

b)

sick

c)

excited

d)

confused

79.

BREAK A LEG!

a)

I hope you break your bones.

b)

Good luck!

c)

Watch where you are walking

d)

Don't cheat!

80.

Jim told his daughter that she was the APPLE OF HIS EYE.

a)

They make apple pie and put it in their eyes.

b)

They eat apples together.

c)

She is extremely important to her dad.

d)

He doesn't like being with his daughter.

81.

It is RAINING CATS AND DOGS!

a)

It's been raining all day.

b)

There are scattered thunderstorms.

c)

It's not raining.

d)

It's raining a lot.

82.

I only get to visit my grandparents ONCE IN A BLUE MOON.

a)

every year

b)

once a while

c)

whenever I want

d)

all the time

83.

After I made an A on the test, I felt like I was ON TOP OF THE WORLD!

a)

excited

b)

upset

c)

disappointed

d)

confused

84.

That was a PIECE OF CAKE!

a)

hard

b)

messy

c)

easy

d)

fun

85.

Josh may get into hot water when driving at full speed after drinking.

a)

    get into trouble  

b)

stay safe      

c)

fall into disuse

d)

remain calm

86.

Thomas knows Paris like the back of his                . He used to be a taxi driver there for 2 years.

a)

  head               

b)

mind     

c)

hand   

d)

life

87.

"Edwards seems like a dog with two tails this morning." - "Haven't vou hear the news? His wife gave birth a baby boy early this morning."

a)

  extremely happy     

b)

extremely disappointed

c)

exhausted        

d)

Very proud

88.

You never really know where you are with her as she just blows hot and cold.

a)

   keeps going 

b)

keeps changing her mood         

c)

keeps taking things

d)

keeps testing

89.

I've never really enjoyed going to the ballet or the opera; they're not really my _______ 

a)

   piece of cake 

b)

sweets and candy

c)

biscuit

d)

cup of tea

90.

We're over the                ! Who wouldn't be? We've just won £1 million!

a)

planet  

b)

clouds       

c)

stars

d)

moon

91.

There's a list of repairs as long as                

a)

your arm  

b)

a pole 

c)

your arms  

d)

a mile

92.

Peter is the black sheep of the family, so he is never welcomed there.

a)

a beloved member  

b)

the only child

c)

   a bad and embarrassing member

d)

the eldest child

93.

Jose had a hard time comparing the iPhone to the Samsung phone because to him they were apples and oranges.

a)

containing too many technical details  

b)

very similar

c)

completely different          

d)

very complicated

94.

I'm all ears

a)

A bunch of ears

b)

You have my full attention

c)

Full of noise

95.

When pigs fly

a)

To say something is impossible

b)

Bacon

c)

Flying high

96.

Teacher's Pet

a)

Teacher's favorite student

b)

Pigs fly

c)

Hamster

97.

Hold your horses

a)

In trouble

b)

Holding my horse still

c)

Wait a minute

98.

Cat got your tongue?

a)

Cat tongue

b)

Why aren't you talking?

c)

Doggy Bag

99.

Couch Potato

a)

Lazy

b)

Watching Tv

c)

Eating potato chips

100.

The police officer let him off the hook.

a)

took him to jail

b)

didn't give him a ticket

c)

helped him get down

d)

gave him a ticket

101.

I feel under the weather today. What does under the weather mean?

a)

fit

b)

happy

c)

sad

d)

ill