Idioms & Phrases Quiz
Idioms are fixed expressions whose meaning is different from their individual words. This quiz tests common English idioms and phrases and their correct meanings.
What this quiz covers
- Everyday idioms
- Meanings versus literal words
- Idioms in sentences
- Exam-style phrases
Study tip: Group idioms by theme, such as time, money or effort, so related expressions are learned together.
Questions, answers and explanations
1. What does the idiom 'Break the ice' mean?
- Break something
- Start a conversation
- Win a game
- Become angry
Answer: Start a conversation
'Break the ice' means to start a friendly conversation in a new or awkward situation.
2. What does 'Piece of cake' mean?
- A delicious cake
- Something very easy
- A birthday party
- A difficult task
Answer: Something very easy
'Piece of cake' means something that is very easy to do.
3. What does 'Hit the books' mean?
- Throw books
- Read or study seriously
- Buy books
- Write a book
Answer: Read or study seriously
'Hit the books' means to begin studying seriously.
4. What does 'Once in a blue moon' mean?
- Every day
- Very rarely
- At night
- Very quickly
Answer: Very rarely
'Once in a blue moon' means something happens very rarely.
5. What does 'Under the weather' mean?
- Outside
- Feeling sick
- Enjoying rain
- Travelling
Answer: Feeling sick
'Under the weather' means feeling ill or unwell.
6. What does 'Spill the beans' mean?
- Cook food
- Reveal a secret
- Make a mess
- Plant beans
Answer: Reveal a secret
'Spill the beans' means to reveal a secret.
7. What does 'Burn the midnight oil' mean?
- Waste electricity
- Study or work late into the night
- Start a fire
- Sleep early
Answer: Study or work late into the night
'Burn the midnight oil' means working or studying late at night.
8. What does 'A blessing in disguise' mean?
- A hidden problem
- Something good that seemed bad at first
- A lucky person
- A magical event
Answer: Something good that seemed bad at first
A blessing in disguise is something that appears bad but turns out to be beneficial.
9. What does 'Kill two birds with one stone' mean?
- Hunt birds
- Complete two tasks with one action
- Throw a stone
- Win two games
Answer: Complete two tasks with one action
It means achieving two goals with a single effort.
10. What does 'The ball is in your court' mean?
- Play tennis
- It is your turn to make a decision
- Start a match
- Throw the ball
Answer: It is your turn to make a decision
It means the next action or decision is your responsibility.
11. What does 'Bite the bullet' mean?
- Eat food
- Face a difficult situation bravely
- Win a competition
- Take medicine
Answer: Face a difficult situation bravely
'Bite the bullet' means to face a painful or difficult situation with courage.
12. What does 'Cost an arm and a leg' mean?
- Very cheap
- Very expensive
- Free of cost
- Worthless
Answer: Very expensive
'Cost an arm and a leg' means something is extremely expensive.
13. What does 'On cloud nine' mean?
- Very happy
- Very sad
- Feeling tired
- Travelling by plane
Answer: Very happy
'On cloud nine' means feeling extremely happy.
14. What does 'Let the cat out of the bag' mean?
- Release a pet
- Reveal a secret accidentally
- Buy a cat
- Lose something
Answer: Reveal a secret accidentally
'Let the cat out of the bag' means to reveal a secret unintentionally.
15. What does 'Call it a day' mean?
- Start working
- Stop working for the day
- Celebrate a holiday
- Wake up early
Answer: Stop working for the day
'Call it a day' means to stop working because enough has been done.
16. What does 'Beat around the bush' mean?
- Talk indirectly
- Cut a tree
- Run very fast
- Fight someone
Answer: Talk indirectly
'Beat around the bush' means to avoid saying something directly.
17. What does 'Hit the nail on the head' mean?
- Use a hammer
- Say exactly the right thing
- Fix a chair
- Make a mistake
Answer: Say exactly the right thing
'Hit the nail on the head' means to describe a situation exactly correctly.
18. What does 'Pull someone's leg' mean?
- Help someone
- Make fun of someone jokingly
- Fight with someone
- Push someone
Answer: Make fun of someone jokingly
'Pull someone's leg' means to joke with or tease someone.
19. What does 'Time flies' mean?
- Time moves quickly
- Time stops
- Birds are flying
- Time is slow
Answer: Time moves quickly
'Time flies' means time passes very quickly.
20. What does 'Actions speak louder than words' mean?
- Talking is enough
- What you do is more important than what you say
- Always speak loudly
- Never talk
Answer: What you do is more important than what you say
This idiom means actions are more meaningful than promises or words.