Common Idioms: Do You Know What They Mean?
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When someone says, "Wow! That costs an arm and a leg," they mean...
- They think they're going to regret their purchase.
- It's really expensive.
- They can't believe they found such a good deal.
- They want to buy one for their arm and one for their leg.
When it's raining cats and dogs, you want to...
- Wear a raincoat and carry an umbrella
- Go to the pet store
- Take your allergy medication
- Get your hair permed
You hear your father say something about his retirement plans. You then share it with your sister and tell her that...
- You can kill two birds with one stone.
- It takes two to tango.
- She shouldn't judge a book by its cover.
- You got the information straight from the horse's mouth.
Someone who tends to make a mountain out of a molehill tends to...
- Rise early every day
- Make a bad first impression
- Make a big deal out of nothing
- Take part in group sports
Which of the following idioms means the same thing as "spill the beans"?
- Go on a wild goose chase
- Let the cat out of the bag
- Miss the boat
- Speak of the devil
If people see eye to eye, that means that...
- They like each other
- They are angry over something
- They are the same height
- They agree
Something that happens once in a blue moon happens...
- Very rarely
- Once a month
- Often
- Biannually
An employee messes up for the twenty-first time, and you have to fire him. You might say...
- "We'll stick it out through thick and thin."
- "Curiosity killed the cat."
- "This is the last straw."
- "Time to head back to the drawing board."
Someone with their head in the clouds...
- Is sleepy and ready to go to bed
- Is absentminded and tends to daydream
- Has nightmares about something
- Is in the middle of a bad situation
If you don't know the answer to something, you might tell your friend...
- "I'm playing devil's advocate."
- "Your guess is as good as mine."
- "I'm on cloud nine."
- "You've got the best of both worlds."
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About This Quiz
If you’ve spoken the English language, you’ve probably heard these common idioms and cliches. But, because they’re not meant to be taken literally, they can sometimes be confusing when you think about the meaning of each. Do you know even the more difficult ones and their meanings?
We’ve chosen examples that will really test your knowledge of the English language and common idioms that you may hear in a regular conversation with your boss, coworkers, family, and friends. We know the English language can be tricky, so good luck!
Throw caution to the wind, and get started on this exciting English language quiz!
Common Idioms
An idiom is a phrase that is commonly used among a population and has a non-literal meaning. (In fact, when taken literally, an idiom can make a sentence into utter nonsense.) Common English idioms can be downright confusing, especially if you're learning the language for the first time, or a very literal person. You've probably heard these common English idioms in everyday conversation, from "fish out of water" to "call it a day."