Idioms and Phrases Worksheet

Vocabulary lesson 22: Idioms and phrases · Set 25 · 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 “get cold feet” mean? (a) need new socks (b) get nervous and back out (c) feel very cold (d) walk on ice
2. 2.Complete the idiom: Breaking the vase was the last ___; Mum was really upset. (a) stick (b) stone (c) cup (d) straw
3. 3.Complete the idiom: Stop beating around the ___ and tell me the truth. (a) house (b) tree (c) garden (d) bush
4. 4.Complete the idiom: Kabir spilled the ___ about the surprise party. (a) milk (b) rice (c) tea (d) beans
5. 5.What does the idiom “keep an eye on” mean? (a) close one eye (b) watch carefully (c) stare rudely (d) wear glasses
6. 6.Complete the idiom: The test was hard, but I had to bite the ___ and finish it. (a) bullet (b) apple (c) pencil (d) biscuit
7. 7.Complete the idiom: Stop pulling my ___; I know you are joking! (a) hair (b) ear (c) arm (d) leg
8. 8.Complete the idiom: After the argument, Zoya gave her brother the cold ___. (a) shoulder (b) water (c) hand (d) foot
9. 9.Complete the idiom: The maths test was a piece of ___. (a) cake (b) paper (c) bread (d) chalk
10. 10.What does the idiom “pull someone’s leg” mean? (a) hurt someone (b) tease someone (c) trip someone (d) help someone walk
11. 11.What does the idiom “hit the books” mean? (a) buy books (b) tear books (c) throw books (d) study hard
12. 12.What does the idiom “cost an arm and a leg” mean? (a) need a doctor (b) be cheap (c) hurt badly (d) be very expensive
13. 13.What does the idiom “let the cat out of the bag” mean? (a) tell a secret (b) free a pet (c) go shopping (d) tell a lie
14. 14.What does the idiom “a blessing in disguise” mean? (a) a secret prayer (b) good luck that looks bad (c) a sad goodbye (d) a fancy dress
15. 15.What does the idiom “hit the sack” mean? (a) pack a bag (b) go shopping (c) punch a bag (d) go to bed
16. 16.Complete the idiom: The news came out of the ___. (a) pink (b) red (c) green (d) blue
17. 17.Complete the idiom: The money we raised is just a drop in the ___. (a) river (b) ocean (c) glass (d) pond
18. 18.Complete the idiom: We will finish this by hook or by ___. (a) cook (b) look (c) book (d) crook
19. 19.Complete the idiom: I had butterflies in my ___ before the race. (a) hands (b) head (c) shoes (d) stomach
20. 20.What does the idiom “the apple of someone’s eye” mean? (a) a red fruit (b) a dearly loved person (c) an eye problem (d) a greedy person
21. 21.What does the idiom “lend a hand” mean? (a) borrow money (b) help someone (c) give a hand away (d) shake hands
22. 22.What does the idiom “all ears” mean? (a) hard of hearing (b) listening eagerly (c) very noisy (d) having big ears
23. 23.What does the idiom “back to square one” mean? (a) winning a game (b) going backwards (c) a new square shape (d) starting all over again
24. 24.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
25. 25.What does the idiom “spill the beans” mean? (a) waste food (b) tell a lie (c) cook badly (d) tell a secret
26. 26.What does the idiom “break the ice” mean? (a) start a friendly talk (b) feel very cold (c) get very angry (d) break something cold
27. 27.What does the idiom “face the music” mean? (a) accept the punishment (b) dance well (c) sing on stage (d) enjoy a song
28. 28.What does the idiom “on the same page” mean? (a) reading a book (b) far apart (c) very busy (d) in agreement
29. 29.What does the idiom “bury the hatchet” mean? (a) dig a hole (b) start a fight (c) make peace (d) hide a weapon
30. 30.Complete the idiom: Ishaan let the cat out of the ___. (a) box (b) house (c) room (d) bag
31. 31.Complete the idiom: The two friends decided to bury the ___. (a) treasure (b) bone (c) box (d) hatchet
32. 32.What does the idiom “in hot water” mean? (a) very busy (b) feeling warm (c) in trouble (d) taking a bath
33. 33.What does the idiom “a piece of cake” mean? (a) very easy (b) very sweet (c) very small (d) very tasty
34. 34.Complete the idiom: Ananya was all ___ when Grandpa told the story. (a) hands (b) ears (c) feet (d) eyes
35. 35.What does the idiom “under the weather” mean? (a) very busy (b) very happy (c) feeling unwell (d) out in the rain
36. 36.What does the idiom “the tip of the iceberg” mean? (a) a cold place (b) only a small part (c) a melting ice block (d) the top of a hill
37. 37.What does the idiom “a fish out of water” mean? (a) a good swimmer (b) uncomfortable in a place (c) a dying fish (d) a hungry cat
38. 38.What does the idiom “feel blue” mean? (a) feel sad (b) feel cold (c) turn blue (d) feel lucky
39. 39.What does the idiom “zip your lips” mean? (a) eat quickly (b) close a bag (c) smile widely (d) keep quiet
40. 40.What does the idiom “hold your horses” mean? (a) feed the horses (b) wait, be patient (c) hurry up (d) ride a horse

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