Do You Know These Everyday Expressions?
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When Someone Says “Break a Leg,” What Are They Really Wishing You?
1
A fast recovery
2
A hospital trip
3
An embarrassing moment
4
Good luck
When someone says “Break a leg,” they’re actually wishing you good luck—especially in the performing arts.
What Fills the Blank? “Hit the Nail on the _____. ”
1
Head
2
Thumb
3
Board
4
Wall
The phrase “hit the nail on the head” means to describe something exactly right or to do something with precise accuracy.
What Does “take It With a Grain of Salt” Imply?
1
Believe wholeheartedly
2
Don’t take it too seriously
3
Add seasoning
4
Reject entirely
To “take it with a grain of salt” means to view something with skepticism or not take it too literally.
Someone "with a Chip on Their Shoulder" Is:
1
Carrying something heavy
2
Hungry
3
Stuck in the past
4
Feeling resentful
Someone "with a chip on their shoulder" is feeling resentful, carrying a grudge, or feeling angry about something, often looking for a fight.
Every Cloud Has a _____ Lining.
1
Blue
2
Shiny
3
Golden
4
Silver
“Every cloud has a silver lining” means that even in difficult or gloomy situations, there’s usually some positive aspect or hopeful outcome.
What Does It Mean if Someone Is “throwing Shade”?
1
Insulting subtly
2
Blocking sunlight
3
Complimenting someone
4
Hiding under a tree
If someone is “throwing shade,” they’re subtly insulting or criticizing someone, often in a clever or indirect way.
If Someone Is "barking up the Wrong Tree," What Are They Doing?
1
Pursuing a false lead
2
Talking too much
3
Complaining for no reason
4
Being overly aggressive
If someone is “barking up the wrong tree,” they’re pursuing a mistaken or misguided course of action.
He’s the Black _____ of the Family.
1
Swan
2
Sheep
3
Cat
4
Cloud
“He’s the black sheep of the family” refers to someone who doesn’t fit in or who goes against the family’s norms or expectations.
Which Expression Suggests Someone Is Very Enthusiastic?
1
Cold feet
2
Over the moon
3
On the fence
4
Down in the dumps
The phrase “over the moon” means someone is extremely happy, joyful, or enthusiastic about something.
To "let the Cat Out of the Bag" Means:
1
Complain loudly
2
Start a fight
3
Cause a problem
4
Reveal a secret
To "let the cat out of the bag" means to accidentally reveal a secret or surprise.
He Got Cold _____ Before the Wedding.
1
Thoughts
2
Shoulders
3
Eyes
4
Feet
“He got cold feet before the wedding” means he experienced sudden doubt or nervousness, often about a big commitment.
If You're “caught Red-Handed,” What Happened?
1
You’re helping someone
2
You’re hurt
3
You were caught in the act of doing something wrong
4
You’ve been praised
If you're “caught red-handed,” it means you were caught in the act of doing something wrong or illegal.
He’s Burning the Candle at Both _____.
1
Sides
2
Wicks
3
Flames
4
Ends
“He’s burning the candle at both ends” means he’s overworking himself by staying up late and getting up early, often sacrificing rest.
Which Idiom Describes Something That Happens Rarely?
1
The tip of the iceberg
2
A dime a dozen
3
The whole nine yards
4
Once in a blue moon
The idiom “once in a blue moon” describes something that happens very rarely or infrequently.
To “bite the Bullet” Means to:
1
Speak too soon
2
Lose hope
3
Refuse to act
4
Do something unpleasant
To “bite the bullet” means to face something difficult or unpleasant with courage and determination.
Complete the Phrase: “Let Sleeping Dogs _____. ”
1
Bark
2
Run
3
Eat
4
Lie
“Let sleeping dogs lie” means to avoid stirring up old conflicts or revisiting past problems that are better left alone.
If You're “burning the Midnight Oil,” You're:
1
Making a mess
2
Driving at night
3
Wasting resources
4
Staying up late working
If you’re “burning the midnight oil,” you’re staying up late working or studying. The phrase comes from the days before electricity.
When Pigs _____.
1
Sneeze
2
Fly
3
Swim
4
Dance
“When pigs fly” is a sarcastic way of saying something will never happen.
“Throw in the Towel” Means to:
1
Admit defeat
2
Argue
3
Start fresh
4
Clean up
To “throw in the towel” means to give up or admit defeat, often after trying hard.
Which Expression Is a Way of Saying “keep Something Secret”?
1
Rock the boat
2
Keep it under wraps
3
Break the bank
4
Bite the dust
The phrase “keep it under wraps” means to keep something secret or hidden from others until it’s revealed.
What Does It Mean to “cry Wolf”?
1
To howl in grief
2
To call for help once
3
To be brave
4
To raise false alarms repeatedly
To “cry wolf” means to raise a false alarm so often that people stop believing you when it’s real.
Someone Who “beats Around the Bush” Is:
1
Rushing into things
2
Avoiding the main topic
3
Going in circles
4
Lost in the woods
Someone who “beats around the bush” is avoiding the main point or delaying getting to the topic.
What Does “call It a Day” Mean?
1
Complain
2
Take a nap
3
Celebrate
4
Stop working
To “call it a day” means to stop working or wrap up an activity, usually after a good amount of effort.
You’re Skating on Thin _____.
1
Ice
2
Luck
3
Blades
4
Patience
“You’re skating on thin ice” means you’re in a risky or dangerous situation, often pushing the limits of what's acceptable.
If Someone Is “beating a Dead Horse,” They Are:
1
Doing something dangerous
2
Pointlessly continuing an issue
3
Training animals
4
Practicing patience
If someone is “beating a dead horse,” they’re wasting time by continuing to discuss or pursue a settled issue.
If Someone “pulls Your Leg,” They Are:
1
Helping you walk
2
Joking with you
3
Attacking you
4
Stealing from you
If someone “pulls your leg,” they’re joking or teasing you in a playful and lighthearted way.
“On Cloud Nine” Describes Someone Who Is:
1
Dreaming
2
Tired
3
Extremely happy
4
Confused
“On cloud nine” describes someone who is extremely happy, joyful, or in a blissful state of mind.
What Does “back to the Drawing Board” Imply?
1
Making progress
2
Drawing something
3
Restarting after failure
4
Going in reverse
“Back to the drawing board” implies starting over with a new plan after a failure or unsuccessful attempt.
What Does “jump the Gun” Mean?
1
Avoid a decision
2
Skip steps
3
Start too early
4
Finish quickly
To “jump the gun” means to act too soon or start something before the proper time or signal.
Finish This Phrase: “The Early Bird Gets the _____. ”
1
Nap
2
Bug
3
Seed
4
Worm
“The early bird gets the worm” means that those who act quickly or show up first are more likely to succeed.
A “blessing in Disguise” Is:
1
Something good that seemed bad at first
2
A costume
3
A religious ritual
4
An obvious miracle
A “blessing in disguise” is something that seems bad at first but ends up having a positive outcome.
That’s the Last _____.
1
Nail
2
Thread
3
Straw
4
Chance
“That’s the last straw” refers to the final minor annoyance or problem that makes a person lose their patience.
"The Ball Is in Your Court" Means:
1
It's someone else's problem
2
It's your turn to take action
3
You're playing tennis
4
You've lost control
“The ball is in your court” means it’s now your responsibility to make a decision or take action.
Which Idiom Means “you’re in Trouble”?
1
Off the hook
2
Out of the woods
3
In hot water
4
Over the hill
The idiom “in hot water” means you’re in trouble or facing serious difficulty, often due to a mistake.
If Someone Is “on the Fence,” They Are:
1
Being nosy
2
Undecided
3
Avoiding a task
4
Sitting high
If someone is “on the fence,” they’re undecided or unsure about which side or option to choose.
To “cut Corners” Means:
1
Get in shape
2
Decorate a room
3
Save time or money by doing something poorly
4
Take the scenic route
To “cut corners” means to do something poorly or cheaply by skipping important steps to save time or money.
Which Saying Describes Avoiding Responsibility?
1
Get your act together
2
Take the bull by the horns
3
Go out on a limb
4
Pass the buck
The phrase “pass the buck” means to avoid responsibility by shifting it onto someone else.
If Someone “twists Your Arm,” What Are They Doing?
1
Being affectionate
2
Giving advice
3
Pressuring you to do something
4
Practicing wrestling
If someone “twists your arm,” they’re pressuring or persuading you to do something you may not want to do.
Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One _____.
1
Carton
2
Crate
3
Basket
4
Nest
“Don’t put all your eggs in one basket” is a classic warning against relying too heavily on a single plan or investment.
If Someone “hits the Sack,” They Are:
1
Going to work
2
Carrying something heavy
3
Starting a fight
4
Going to bed
If someone “hits the sack,” they’re heading to bed to sleep. It’s a casual, slangy way of saying they’re turning in for the night.
“Under the Weather” Means Someone Is:
1
Cold
2
Confused
3
Outside
4
Feeling sick
If someone is “under the weather,” they’re feeling sick or unwell. The phrase likely originated from maritime language.
If Something Is a “piece of Cake,” It Is:
1
Not very tasty
2
Financially rewarding
3
Hard to achieve
4
Very easy
If something is a “piece of cake,” it’s very easy to do or requires little effort.
“Cost an Arm and a Leg” Means Something Is:
1
Important
2
Unique
3
Very expensive
4
Dangerous
When something “costs an arm and a leg,” it’s so expensive that it feels like you’d have to give up your own limbs to afford it!
What Is Meant by “bite off More Than You Can Chew”?
1
Lose control
2
Eat fast
3
Take on too much
4
Be overconfident
To “bite off more than you can chew” means to take on more tasks than you can handle effectively.
Don’t Judge a Book by Its _____.
1
Length
2
Cover
3
Genre
4
Price
“Don’t judge a book by its cover” is a reminder not to form opinions based solely on appearances.
What Completes This Idiom? “Kill Two Birds With One _____. ”
1
Stone
2
Idea
3
Shot
4
Net
“Kill two birds with one stone” means to accomplish two goals with a single action.
To “go the Extra Mile” Means:
1
Run a marathon
2
Put in extra effort
3
Take a detour
4
Travel longer
To “go the extra mile” means to put in more effort than expected to achieve something or help someone.
Which Idiom Describes Revealing Something Prematurely?
1
Raining cats and dogs
2
Hold your horses
3
In the same boat
4
Let the cat out of the bag
The idiom “let the cat out of the bag” describes accidentally or prematurely revealing a secret or surprise.
To Be “ahead of the Curve” Means:
1
Being innovative or early
2
Being lost
3
Not following instructions
4
Breaking a law
To be “ahead of the curve” means to be more advanced, innovative, or successful than others in a particular field.
He’s Not the Sharpest Tool in the _____.
1
Garage
2
Shed
3
Chest
4
Toolbox
“He’s not the sharpest tool in the shed” is a humorous way to say someone might not be very smart or quick-witted.
She Let Him off the _____.
1
Leash
2
Fence
3
Hook
4
Chain
“She let him off the hook” means she freed him from blame, responsibility, or punishment.
If You’re “walking on Eggshells,” You’re:
1
Having breakfast
2
Playing a game
3
Lost
4
Being extremely cautious
If you’re “walking on eggshells,” you’re being extremely cautious to avoid upsetting someone or causing conflict.
“Hit the Ground Running” Means:
1
Start something with energy
2
Leave a race
3
Fall hard
4
Miss your chance
“Hit the ground running” means to start something energetically and effectively from the very beginning, without delay.
“Throw Someone Under the Bus” Implies:
1
Helping them
2
Saving them
3
Ignoring them
4
Betraying them to protect yourself
“Throw someone under the bus” implies betraying or sacrificing someone to protect yourself or gain an advantage.
We’ll Cross That Bridge When We Come to _____.
1
Town
2
Water
3
Trouble
4
It
“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it” means there’s no need to worry about a potential problem until it actually happens.
To “miss the Boat” Means:
1
Plan a vacation
2
Miss an opportunity
3
Forget to swim
4
Arrive early
To “miss the boat” means to miss an opportunity or be too late to take advantage of something.
Which Phrase Refers to Something Very Cheap or Common?
1
Full of beans
2
A needle in a haystack
3
Two peas in a pod
4
A dime a dozen
The phrase “a dime a dozen” refers to something very cheap, common, or easily found everywhere.
What Does “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie” Advise?
1
Leave past issues alone
2
Wake up early
3
Train your pet
4
Deal with everything now
“Let sleeping dogs lie” advises leaving a situation alone to avoid stirring up old problems or creating new trouble.
“Like Pulling Teeth” Describes:
1
A reward
2
A dentist visit
3
Something very difficult
4
A secret
“Like pulling teeth” describes something extremely difficult, frustrating, or unpleasant to do or get done.
What Does It Mean to “cut to the Chase”?
1
Talk about running
2
End a movie
3
Get to the point quickly
4
Stop talking
To “cut to the chase” means to skip the small talk or details and get straight to the main point.
You Can’t Have Your Cake and _____ It Too.
1
Buy
2
Make
3
Share
4
Eat
“You can’t have your cake and eat it too” means you can’t enjoy two conflicting benefits at once and need to choose between competing desires.
What Does “the Whole Nine Yards” Refer to?
1
A short walk
2
A football game
3
Everything possible
4
A sewing kit
“The whole nine yards” refers to doing something completely or giving it your all, with maximum effort or detail.
What Does “jump on the Bandwagon” Mean?
1
Cheer for a team
2
Lead the group
3
Start a band
4
Join a popular trend
To “jump on the bandwagon” means to join or support something popular or trending, often to fit in or benefit.
What’s Someone Doing if They “bend Over Backwards”?
1
Making a big effort to help
2
Dodging a question
3
Practicing yoga
4
Falling down
If someone “bends over backwards,” they’re making a great effort or going out of their way to help others.
Which Phrase Means “fully Prepared”?
1
Bite your tongue
2
Drag your feet
3
Armed to the teeth
4
Jump the gun
The phrase “armed to the teeth” means being fully prepared, usually with all necessary resources or equipment.
What Does It Mean to “put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is”?
1
Talk about finances
2
Eat cash
3
Support your words with actions
4
Complain a lot
To “put your money where your mouth is” means to back up your words with actions or financial support.
“Spill the Beans” Means to:
1
Waste food
2
Get angry
3
Tell a secret
4
Cause confusion
“Spill the beans” means to reveal secret or confidential information—whether by accident or on purpose.
What Does It Mean to “have Skeletons in Your Closet”?
1
You love Halloween
2
You’re organized
3
You have secrets
4
You’re a collector
To “have skeletons in your closet” means to hide embarrassing, shameful, or secret past events you don’t want revealed.
“Hit the Books” Means:
1
Reading for fun
2
Quitting school
3
Start studying
4
Throwing them
“Hit the books” means to begin studying hard or seriously preparing for school or exams.
If Someone Is “full of Hot Air,” They Are:
1
Talking nonsense or exaggerating
2
Angry
3
Excited
4
Gassy
If someone is “full of hot air,” they talk a lot without saying anything meaningful or making real contributions.
“Under Your Nose” Means:
1
Literally beneath you
2
In your business
3
Happening right in front of you unnoticed
4
A joke
“Under your nose” means something is happening right in front of you, but you’re unaware or not noticing it.
What Does It Mean if Someone “gets a Taste of Their Own Medicine”?
1
They win a prize
2
They take pills
3
They become a doctor
4
They experience what they’ve done to others
If someone “gets a taste of their own medicine,” they experience the same bad treatment they’ve given others.
To Be “in Over Your Head” Means:
1
You’re sneaky
2
You’re tall
3
You’re underwater
4
You’re involved in something too difficult
To be “in over your head” means you're involved in a situation that’s too difficult or overwhelming to handle.
To “leave No Stone Unturned” Means:
1
Avoid the truth
2
Search thoroughly
3
Skip tasks
4
Be careless
To “leave no stone unturned” means to make every possible effort in order to achieve something or find something.
Which Idiom Describes Someone Who Is Easily Fooled?
1
A fly on the wall
2
The top dog
3
The big cheese
4
A sitting duck
The idiom “a sitting duck” describes someone who is easily fooled, targeted, or vulnerable to deception or harm.
“Keep Your Eyes Peeled” Suggests:
1
Protect your eyes
2
Take a nap
3
Stay alert
4
Avoid danger
“Keep your eyes peeled” suggests staying alert and watchful, especially when looking out for something specific.
“In a Pickle” Means:
1
You're at a deli
2
You’re confused
3
You’re in a difficult situation
4
You’re doing well
“In a pickle” means being in a difficult, tricky, or troublesome situation with no easy solution.
If Someone “sits Tight,” What Are They Doing?
1
Refusing help
2
Waiting patiently
3
Exercising
4
Sitting with tension
If someone “sits tight,” they’re staying in place and waiting patiently without taking action or making changes.
To “have a Bun in the Oven” Means:
1
Baking bread
2
Someone is pregnant
3
Planning dinner
4
You’re hungry
To “have a bun in the oven” is a playful way of saying that someone is pregnant.
If Someone Is “hitting the Jackpot,” What’s Happening?
1
They’ve achieved great success or luck
2
They’ve lost everything
3
They’re gambling irresponsibly
4
They’ve found something hidden
If someone is “hitting the jackpot,” they’re experiencing great success or winning a large amount, often unexpectedly.
“Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk” Means:
1
Don’t be upset about past mistakes
2
Clean up quickly
3
Buy more milk
4
Drink fast
“Don’t cry over spilled milk” means don’t waste time worrying about things that have already happened and can’t be changed.
“To Play It by Ear” Means:
1
Follow instructions
2
Play music
3
Listen closely
4
Improvise or adapt as you go
“To play it by ear” means to handle a situation spontaneously, without a fixed plan—adapting as things unfold.
Which Phrase Means “don’t Talk Yet”?
1
Bite your tongue
2
Jump the gun
3
Beat a dead horse
4
Cry wolf
The phrase “bite your tongue” means to stop yourself from speaking, especially to avoid saying something inappropriate or premature.
“Break the Ice” Means:
1
Begin a conversation or ease tension
2
Ruin something
3
Destroy a wall
4
Start a fight
“Break the ice” means to initiate conversation or ease tension in a social setting, especially when people first meet.
What Does “face the Music” Mean?
1
Ignore a problem
2
Go to a concert
3
Accept consequences
4
Dance in public
To “face the music” means to confront the consequences of your actions, especially when they’re unpleasant or difficult.
“By the Skin of Your Teeth” Means:
1
Barely managing to do something
2
With a smile
3
Something painful
4
With effort
“By the skin of your teeth” means narrowly escaping or just barely succeeding in a difficult or risky situation.
“Off the Cuff” Refers to Something That Is:
1
Unplanned or spontaneous
2
Expensive
3
Hard to wear
4
Overwhelming
“Off the cuff” refers to something that is spontaneous, unplanned, or said without preparation.
“Throw Cold Water on Something” Means:
1
To ruin a surprise
2
Be wasteful
3
Calm down
4
Discourage an idea or enthusiasm
“Throw cold water on something” means to discourage enthusiasm or reduce excitement about an idea or proposal.
“Get Cold Feet” Is Most Often Associated With:
1
Standing on ice
2
Going barefoot
3
Last-minute nerves or hesitation
4
Regret after a decision
“Get cold feet” is most often associated with suddenly feeling nervous or backing out of a big decision or commitment.
To “know the Ropes” Means:
1
Tie knots well
2
Understand how things work
3
Be a sailor
4
Follow rules
To “know the ropes” means to be familiar with how something works, especially a job, task, or system.
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