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Quizzes > Quizzes for Business > Education

Take the ESL Idioms and Phrasal Verbs Quiz

Practice Everyday Idioms and Phrasal Verbs Now

Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art depicting various ESL idioms and phrasal verbs for a quiz.

Dive into this engaging ESL idioms and phrasal verbs quiz to boost your English expression skills. Ideal for intermediate learners seeking phrasal verbs practice and an idioms quiz challenge, it covers everyday expressions and quirky sayings. Explore related tests like the English Phrasal Verbs Quiz or the Business English Idioms Quiz for extra practice. All questions are fully editable in our editor to fit your teaching or study goals. Don't miss out on more quizzes to refine your ESL skills across grammar, vocabulary, and more.

What does the idiom 'break the ice' mean?
To freeze something quickly
To start a conversation or ease tension
To shatter frozen water
To play an instrument
The idiom 'break the ice' refers to making people feel more comfortable and starting a social interaction. It has nothing to do with literally breaking ice or playing instruments.
What does the idiom 'hit the sack' mean?
Exercise vigorously
Leave a party
Go to sleep
Punch a bag
To 'hit the sack' is an informal way to say go to bed or fall asleep. It is not related to exercising or physical punching.
What does 'once in a blue moon' mean?
On a full moon evening
Once each month
In the middle of the night
Very rarely
'Once in a blue moon' describes something that happens very rarely. It does not literally refer to the lunar calendar or full moon evening.
What is the meaning of the phrasal verb 'look after'?
To look at something closely
To search for
To ignore someone
To take care of
'Look after' means to take care of or be responsible for someone or something. It does not mean to search, ignore, or just visually inspect.
I'm feeling under the weather, so I will _____ bed early.
get up
stay in
go out
stay up
'Under the weather' means feeling unwell, so 'stay in' bed is correct. The other options imply leaving or remaining awake, which doesn't fit the context.
After hours of driving, we had to _____ to rest the car and ourselves.
put off
turn on
pull out
pull over
'Pull over' means to move a vehicle to the side of the road and stop, which fits resting the car and driver. Other options do not mean stopping the car.
What does the idiom 'cost an arm and a leg' mean?
Very expensive
Physically painful
Cost nothing
Poor quality
'Cost an arm and a leg' means something is extremely expensive or costly. It has nothing to do with actual physical pain or quality.
Which phrasal verb means 'to continue doing something'?
look up
carry on
turn down
give up
'Carry on' means to continue an action or activity. 'Give up' is the opposite, while 'turn down' and 'look up' have different meanings.
What does the idiom 'spill the beans' mean?
Cook food quickly
Spill liquids accidentally
Reveal a secret
Make a mess
'Spill the beans' is an informal way to say reveal secret information. The other options interpret the phrase literally or incorrectly.
Which sentence correctly uses 'put off'?
I put off my shoes before entering.
Let's put off some decorations on the cake.
He put off his friend at the station.
I put off the meeting until tomorrow.
'Put off' means to postpone. Only delaying the meeting fits that meaning. The other sentences misuse the phrase in unnecessary contexts.
She ____ her boss to ask for a raise.
gave up
brought up
turned up
made up
'Bring up' means to introduce a topic, such as asking for a raise. The other phrasal verbs do not fit the context of initiating a discussion.
Which preposition correctly completes the phrasal verb: 'He ran _____ time during the exam'?
into
out of
through
over
'Run out of' means to have no more of something, in this case time. The other prepositions change the meaning or are incorrect in this context.
What does the idiom 'hit the nail on the head' mean?
Use a tool correctly
Describe something exactly
Hit something precisely
Miss the target
'Hit the nail on the head' means to describe a situation or problem exactly. It's a figurative expression, not about actual tools.
Can you _____ the lights when you leave?
take off
turn off
set up
put down
'Turn off' refers to deactivating electrical devices like lights. The other options have different meanings unrelated to lights.
What does 'bite the bullet' mean?
Chew on metal
Avoid responsibility
Accept an unpleasant situation
Run quickly
'Bite the bullet' means to endure a difficult situation with courage. It's not literally chewing metal or evading duties.
Which sentence uses 'look down on' correctly, distinguishing it from 'look up to'?
She looks down on people who don't share her opinions.
They look down on the recipe for dinner.
I look down on my grandfather for his wisdom.
He looks down on his new role in the company.
'Look down on' means to regard someone or something as inferior. Option A uses it correctly. The other sentences misuse the phrase or swap meanings.
Which option correctly orders the phrasal verb in this sentence? 'He ____ the job offer because of the low salary.'
turn downed
gave down
down turned
turned down
'Turn down' should be ordered as 'turned down' in past tense, meaning to reject. Other forms are grammatically incorrect.
I need to ____ the time I missed in yesterday's meeting.
make off
make up for
make over
make out
'Make up for' means to compensate for something missed. The other 'make' phrases have different meanings like understanding, renovating, or fleeing.
Which sentence uses 'come across' appropriately, distinguishing it from 'run into'?
They came across the document without searching.
She came across the finish line first.
I came across my car at the parking lot.
I came across an old friend while browsing social media.
'Come across' means to find by chance. Option A shows this online discovery. The other options describe locating known items or positions, which is incorrect.
What does 'beat around the bush' mean?
Hit plants gently
Speak softly to animals
Avoid getting to the main point
Walk in the woods
'Beat around the bush' means to avoid addressing the main issue directly. It's a figurative expression not related to literal actions.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify the meanings of common English idioms in context.
  2. Apply phrasal verbs accurately in everyday sentences.
  3. Analyse differences between similar idiomatic expressions.
  4. Master usage of phrasal verbs with various prepositions.
  5. Evaluate comprehension through targeted quiz questions.
  6. Demonstrate improved fluency using idioms and phrases.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Understand the structure of phrasal verbs - Phrasal verbs team up a verb with one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs) to create a fresh, often unexpected meaning. Cracking this pattern is like solving a mini puzzle in every sentence you read or say. Dive into the Scribbr guide
  2. Learn common phrasal verbs - Build your go-to list with everyday favorites like "call off" (to cancel), "figure out" (to understand), and "put off" (to postpone). Mastering these will supercharge your comprehension and give your speech a natural flair. Explore common phrasal verbs on SuperEnglish
  3. Practice separable and inseparable phrasal verbs - Some phrasal verbs let you slide the object between the verb and the particle (separable), while others stick together (inseparable). For example, you can "turn off the light" or "turn the light off," but you always "look after the baby," never "look the baby after." See more examples at Scribbr
  4. Identify idioms in context - Idioms are sneak-attack phrases whose true meaning can't be guessed from the words alone. Spot expressions like "a piece of cake" in stories or conversations to unlock their figurative gems. Check out British Institute's top idioms
  5. Differentiate between similar idioms - Some idioms look alike but play very different roles - "break the ice" warms up a chat, while "break a leg" sends good-luck vibes. Knowing the difference saves you from hilarious mix-ups. Learn more at WordsCoach
  6. Use idioms appropriately - Sprinkle idioms into your writing and speaking to sound like a native. For instance, "I'm feeling under the weather" hits differently than just "I'm sick," making your language more colorful. Get tips from WordsCoach
  7. Master phrasal verbs with varying prepositions - Changing the particle can completely shift the meaning - "look up" means to search for info, whereas "look after" means to care for someone. Mixing and matching helps you nail the right sense every time. Deep dive on Scribbr
  8. Analyze idiomatic expressions - Break idioms down to uncover their quirky origins and literal vs. figurative twists. Understanding why we "bite the bullet" makes it way easier to remember and use correctly. Study 100 idioms at Espresso English
  9. Evaluate comprehension through quizzes - Test yourself regularly with fun quizzes to reinforce what you've learned and spot any tricky areas. It's like a mini game that keeps your idiom and phrasal-verb skills sharp! Try Scribbr's practice quizzes
  10. Enhance fluency with idiomatic language - The real magic happens when you slide idioms and phrasal verbs into daily chats. Phrases like "hit the nail on the head" will give your English that polished, native-speaker shine. Polish up with WordsCoach
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