Idioms and Phrases Worksheet

Vocabulary lesson 22: Idioms and phrases · Set 171 · 40 questions

Word tip (Not what the words say): Do not picture the words literally. Think of the situation where people use the idiom: “The test was a piece of cake” = it was very easy. Idioms are fixed — learn them whole, word for word.

1. 1.What does the idiom “a drop in the ocean” mean? (a) a big wave (b) a sea journey (c) a rain shower (d) a very small amount
2. 2.Complete the idiom: Breaking the vase was the last ___; Mum was really upset. (a) stone (b) stick (c) straw (d) cup
3. 3.What does the idiom “zip your lips” mean? (a) keep quiet (b) eat quickly (c) close a bag (d) smile widely
4. 4.What does the idiom “back to square one” mean? (a) winning a game (b) starting all over again (c) going backwards (d) a new square shape
5. 5.Complete the idiom: We will finish this by hook or by ___. (a) look (b) crook (c) cook (d) book
6. 6.What does the idiom “in hot water” mean? (a) taking a bath (b) in trouble (c) feeling warm (d) very busy
7. 7.What does the idiom “once bitten, twice shy” mean? (a) very shy (b) brave again (c) careful after a bad time (d) bitten by a dog
8. 8.Complete the idiom: Don’t give up now; don’t throw in the ___! (a) bag (b) towel (c) book (d) ball
9. 9.Complete the idiom: Our plan failed, so we were back to square ___. (a) zero (b) two (c) one (d) ten
10. 10.What does the idiom “see eye to eye” mean? (a) agree fully (b) see clearly (c) look closely (d) stare angrily
11. 11.What does the idiom “turn a deaf ear” mean? (a) listen carefully (b) lose hearing (c) refuse to listen (d) whisper softly
12. 12.Complete the idiom: Yash burnt the midnight ___ before his exam. (a) oil (b) lamp (c) candle (d) paper
13. 13.What does the idiom “feel blue” mean? (a) feel lucky (b) turn blue (c) feel sad (d) feel cold
14. 14.Complete the idiom: The maths test was a piece of ___. (a) paper (b) chalk (c) bread (d) cake
15. 15.Complete the idiom: Could you lend me a ___ with these heavy bags? (a) head (b) foot (c) leg (d) hand
16. 16.What does the idiom “call it a day” mean? (a) name the day (b) phone a friend (c) stop working for now (d) start a new day
17. 17.What does the idiom “spill the beans” mean? (a) waste food (b) tell a secret (c) tell a lie (d) cook badly
18. 18.What does the idiom “a piece of cake” mean? (a) very sweet (b) very easy (c) very small (d) very tasty
19. 19.What does the idiom “a red-letter day” mean? (a) a sad day (b) a postal holiday (c) a day of danger (d) a special, happy day
20. 20.What does the idiom “over the moon” mean? (a) very far away (b) in outer space (c) very tired (d) extremely happy
21. 21.Complete the idiom: The exam was so easy; it was a ___ of cake. (a) plate (b) box (c) bowl (d) piece
22. 22.What does the idiom “sit on the fence” mean? (a) not take a side (b) fix a fence (c) fall down (d) rest outside
23. 23.Complete the idiom: Kabir spilled the ___ about the surprise party. (a) rice (b) milk (c) beans (d) tea
24. 24.Complete the idiom: We are all in the same ___, so let us help each other. (a) house (b) boat (c) car (d) bus
25. 25.Complete the idiom: I had butterflies in my ___ before the race. (a) hands (b) stomach (c) shoes (d) head
26. 26.Complete the idiom: Stop beating around the ___ and tell me the truth. (a) house (b) bush (c) garden (d) tree
27. 27.What does the idiom “face the music” mean? (a) sing on stage (b) dance well (c) accept the punishment (d) enjoy a song
28. 28.Complete the idiom: It is raining cats and ___. (a) cows (b) rats (c) dogs (d) mice
29. 29.Complete the idiom: Hold your ___! Wait for everyone to sit down. (a) dogs (b) cows (c) horses (d) goats
30. 30.Complete the idiom: Rohan was over the ___ when he won the prize. (a) sun (b) moon (c) hill (d) stars
31. 31.Complete the idiom: After winning the prize, Riya was on cloud ___. (a) nine (b) five (c) seven (d) ten
32. 32.What does the idiom “when pigs fly” mean? (a) every morning (b) very soon (c) in summer (d) never
33. 33.Complete the idiom: Rohan cannot decide; he is sitting on the ___. (a) chair (b) bench (c) wall (d) fence
34. 34.Complete the idiom: Shouting at him will only add fuel to the ___. (a) car (b) fire (c) lamp (d) stove
35. 35.What does the idiom “give the cold shoulder” mean? (a) hug someone (b) hurt a shoulder (c) ignore someone (d) feel very cold
36. 36.Complete the idiom: Kavya is the apple of her grandfather’s ___. (a) heart (b) tree (c) hand (d) eye
37. 37.Complete the idiom: The two friends decided to bury the ___. (a) box (b) treasure (c) hatchet (d) bone
38. 38.What does the idiom “the last straw” mean? (a) a small gift (b) a broken straw (c) the final problem (d) the end of a drink
39. 39.Complete the idiom: Riya visits the zoo once in a blue ___. (a) sun (b) moon (c) sky (d) sea
40. 40.Complete the idiom: Can you keep an ___ on my bag for a minute? (a) ear (b) eye (c) arm (d) hand

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