Idioms and Phrases Worksheet

Vocabulary lesson 22: Idioms and phrases · Set 243 · 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 “back to square one” mean? (a) starting all over again (b) winning a game (c) a new square shape (d) going backwards
2. 2.Complete the idiom: The exam was so easy; it was a ___ of cake. (a) plate (b) box (c) bowl (d) piece
3. 3.Complete the idiom: After the argument, Zoya gave her brother the cold ___. (a) water (b) foot (c) hand (d) shoulder
4. 4.What does the idiom “call it a day” mean? (a) start a new day (b) name the day (c) stop working for now (d) phone a friend
5. 5.What does the idiom “butterflies in the stomach” mean? (a) a stomach ache (b) a hungry feeling (c) a nervous feeling (d) a happy dance
6. 6.Complete the idiom: Ananya was all ___ when Grandpa told the story. (a) eyes (b) ears (c) feet (d) hands
7. 7.What does the idiom “see eye to eye” mean? (a) look closely (b) see clearly (c) agree fully (d) stare angrily
8. 8.What does the idiom “lend a hand” mean? (a) borrow money (b) help someone (c) shake hands (d) give a hand away
9. 9.What does the idiom “face the music” mean? (a) enjoy a song (b) accept the punishment (c) sing on stage (d) dance well
10. 10.What does the idiom “pull someone’s leg” mean? (a) help someone walk (b) trip someone (c) hurt someone (d) tease someone
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.What does the idiom “once bitten, twice shy” mean? (a) careful after a bad time (b) brave again (c) very shy (d) bitten by a dog
13. 13.What does the idiom “zip your lips” mean? (a) smile widely (b) eat quickly (c) keep quiet (d) close a bag
14. 14.What does the idiom “a piece of cake” mean? (a) very small (b) very sweet (c) very tasty (d) very easy
15. 15.What does the idiom “a red-letter day” mean? (a) a special, happy day (b) a day of danger (c) a postal holiday (d) a sad day
16. 16.Complete the idiom: Stop pulling my ___; I know you are joking! (a) leg (b) hair (c) ear (d) arm
17. 17.What does the idiom “a white elephant” mean? (a) costly but useless thing (b) a rare animal (c) a big white toy (d) a lucky charm
18. 18.Complete the idiom: The two friends decided to bury the ___. (a) bone (b) box (c) hatchet (d) treasure
19. 19.What does the idiom “a blessing in disguise” mean? (a) good luck that looks bad (b) a secret prayer (c) a fancy dress (d) a sad goodbye
20. 20.What does the idiom “in the same boat” mean? (a) in a ship (b) in the same trouble (c) very rich (d) on a holiday
21. 21.Complete the idiom: After winning the prize, Riya was on cloud ___. (a) seven (b) ten (c) nine (d) five
22. 22.Complete the idiom: Stop beating around the ___ and tell me the truth. (a) bush (b) garden (c) tree (d) house
23. 23.Complete the idiom: Kavya is the apple of her grandfather’s ___. (a) eye (b) heart (c) tree (d) hand
24. 24.What does the idiom “the tip of the iceberg” mean? (a) the top of a hill (b) a melting ice block (c) only a small part (d) a cold place
25. 25.Complete the idiom: We are all in the same ___, so let us help each other. (a) boat (b) car (c) house (d) bus
26. 26.What does the idiom “add fuel to the fire” mean? (a) fill a car (b) put out a fire (c) cook food (d) make things worse
27. 27.Complete the idiom: Our plan failed, so we were back to square ___. (a) zero (b) ten (c) two (d) one
28. 28.Complete the idiom: After the long day, Dad decided to hit the ___. (a) sack (b) bag (c) wall (d) ball
29. 29.What does the idiom “the last straw” mean? (a) the final problem (b) a broken straw (c) a small gift (d) the end of a drink
30. 30.Complete the idiom: Rohan cannot decide; he is sitting on the ___. (a) bench (b) fence (c) wall (d) chair
31. 31.Complete the idiom: It is raining ___ and dogs outside. (a) cats (b) rats (c) cows (d) mice
32. 32.Complete the idiom: Rohan was over the ___ when he won the prize. (a) stars (b) hill (c) sun (d) moon
33. 33.Complete the idiom: It is raining cats and ___. (a) rats (b) dogs (c) cows (d) mice
34. 34.What does the idiom “at the eleventh hour” mean? (a) very early (b) every hour (c) at the last moment (d) at 11 o'clock
35. 35.Complete the idiom: Breaking the vase was the last ___; Mum was really upset. (a) stick (b) cup (c) stone (d) straw
36. 36.What does the idiom “hit the books” mean? (a) tear books (b) throw books (c) study hard (d) buy books
37. 37.What does the idiom “by hook or by crook” mean? (a) very slowly (b) with help (c) by any means (d) by fishing
38. 38.Complete the idiom: The test was hard, but I had to bite the ___ and finish it. (a) bullet (b) apple (c) biscuit (d) pencil
39. 39.What does the idiom “under the weather” mean? (a) out in the rain (b) feeling unwell (c) very busy (d) very happy
40. 40.Complete the idiom: Don’t give up now; don’t throw in the ___! (a) book (b) bag (c) ball (d) towel

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