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Quizzes > High School Quizzes > English Language Arts

Idioms Quiz Practice Test

Sharpen your language skills with fun challenges

Difficulty: Moderate
Grade: Grade 7
Study OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art depicting a trivia quiz on idioms for middle and high school students.

What does the idiom 'break the ice' mean?
To end a conversation abruptly.
To physically break frozen water.
To initiate a conversation and ease tension.
To cause an argument in a group.
The idiom 'break the ice' means to initiate a conversation in order to ease social tension. It is used figuratively rather than literally breaking something cold.
What does the phrase 'piece of cake' imply?
An opportunity to bake.
A challenging task.
Something that is extremely easy to accomplish.
A slice of dessert served at parties.
The idiom 'piece of cake' is used to describe a task that is very easy to perform. The expression uses the pleasant and simple image of cake to emphasize ease.
When someone says 'it's raining cats and dogs', what are they describing?
A phenomenon with no real meaning.
A light drizzle.
Heavy and intense rainfall.
A storm of animals in the area.
The idiom 'raining cats and dogs' refers to very heavy rainfall. It is a colorful way of saying that the rain is pouring down, rather than describing a literal storm of animals.
What does the idiom 'once in a blue moon' mean?
An event that happens very rarely.
A common occurrence.
A famous lunar phenomenon.
An event that occurs every month.
The idiom 'once in a blue moon' is used to indicate that something happens extremely infrequently. It suggests rarity by comparing the event to the occasional appearance of a blue moon.
What does it mean to 'spill the beans'?
To drop a container of beans.
To reveal a secret or disclose information.
To waste food carelessly.
To cook beans incorrectly.
The idiom 'spill the beans' means to reveal secret or confidential information. It implies that once the secret is out, it cannot be put back in.
What does the idiom 'hit the nail on the head' mean?
To create a confusing explanation.
To describe a situation or problem precisely.
To accidentally hurt oneself while working.
To drive a nail using a hammer.
The idiom 'hit the nail on the head' means to describe a situation accurately or to pinpoint the exact issue. It is a metaphor drawn from the act of striking a nail perfectly.
What does the idiom 'barking up the wrong tree' suggest?
Pursuing a mistaken or misguided course of action.
Searching in the wrong location.
Acting aggressively without reason.
Communicating with a pet.
The phrase 'barking up the wrong tree' indicates that someone is pursuing a mistaken or misguided line of thought. It advises that the effort is misdirected.
What does the idiom 'cost an arm and a leg' mean?
It is free of charge.
It is moderately priced.
It is very expensive.
It involves physical harm.
The idiom 'cost an arm and a leg' implies that something is extremely expensive. It uses hyperbole to emphasize the high cost associated with an item or service.
What action is described by the phrase 'let the cat out of the bag'?
Closing a conversation abruptly.
Losing control of a situation.
Adopting a stray pet.
Revealing a secret unintentionally.
The idiom 'let the cat out of the bag' means to accidentally reveal a secret. It emphasizes the loss of confidentiality once information meant to be hidden is disclosed.
What does it mean to 'bend over backwards' in a figurative sense?
To criticize someone harshly.
To avoid performing a task.
To make a great effort to help or please someone.
To physically hurt oneself.
The idiom 'bend over backwards' means to go to great lengths or make a significant effort to assist someone. It is used figuratively to show extreme willingness or effort.
What behavior is depicted by the idiom 'burning the midnight oil'?
Staying up late to work or study.
Wasting resources late at night.
Engaging in a nocturnal party.
Cooking dinner at night.
The phrase 'burning the midnight oil' refers to working or studying late into the night. It originates from the time when oil lamps were used for light, symbolizing long hours of work.
What does the idiom 'when pigs fly' imply about an event?
The event has already happened.
The event is expected to occur regularly.
The event will happen suddenly.
The event is impossible or highly unlikely.
The idiom 'when pigs fly' is used to denote that something is impossible or will never occur. It uses an absurd image to emphasize the unlikelihood of the event.
How is the idiom 'hit the sack' best interpreted?
To pack a bag for travel.
To take a brief nap.
To start a physical workout.
To go to bed.
The idiom 'hit the sack' is an informal way to say 'go to bed.' It is a metaphor that equates finishing the day with ending it by sleeping.
What does the phrase 'the ball is in your court' convey?
It is now your turn to take action or decide.
It's time to take a break.
You should play a sport.
Someone else is responsible.
The idiom 'the ball is in your court' signifies that it is someone's turn to take action or make a decision. It borrows from sports terminology to indicate that responsibility has shifted.
What is meant by the idiom 'add fuel to the fire'?
To make a bad situation even worse.
To provide necessary energy for progress.
To literally put fuel on a fire.
To calm down an escalating issue.
The idiom 'add fuel to the fire' means to worsen an already bad situation. It uses the metaphor of adding fuel to intensify a fire to illustrate escalation.
What does the idiom 'the ship has sailed' mean?
An opportunity or chance has passed and can no longer be taken.
A literal ship has departed from port.
A saving plan has been initiated.
A journey is about to begin.
The idiom 'the ship has sailed' signifies that an opportunity has been missed and is no longer available. It suggests the finality of a decision or event that cannot be reversed.
When someone is said to be 'wearing their heart on their sleeve', what does it indicate?
They keep their feelings hidden.
They are overly fashionable.
They mask their true intentions.
They openly display their emotions.
The idiom 'wearing their heart on their sleeve' means that a person displays their emotions openly and transparently. It implies a lack of concealment when it comes to feelings.
What moral lesson is advised by the idiom 'to cry wolf'?
Being cautious outweighs being brave.
Repeatedly lying or exaggerating can lead others to ignore you when you're honest.
One should always be on the lookout for danger.
Expressing emotions is always beneficial.
The idiom 'to cry wolf' cautions against raising false alarms repeatedly. If someone lies too often, others may not believe them when a real emergency occurs.
What is implied by the idiom 'hit the ground running'?
To delay starting a project.
To begin a task without any preparation.
To start a new task with enthusiasm and energy.
To physically run immediately after falling.
The idiom 'hit the ground running' means to begin an activity energetically and with immediate focus. It suggests that a person starts a new venture fully prepared and motivated.
How might the idiom 'a wolf in sheep's clothing' be best interpreted?
Someone who appears harmless but is actually dangerous or untrustworthy.
Someone who disguises themselves for entertainment.
A person who loves animals.
A person who is easily deceived.
The idiom 'a wolf in sheep's clothing' describes someone who hides malicious intentions behind a benign or friendly appearance. It warns to be cautious, as appearances can be deceptive.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify and recognize common idioms used in everyday language.
  2. Interpret the meanings of idiomatic expressions in various contexts.
  3. Analyze the differences between literal and figurative language in idioms.
  4. Apply knowledge of idioms to complete sentences and answer quiz questions.
  5. Evaluate the effectiveness of idiomatic expressions in enhancing communication.

Idioms Quiz: Test Your Skills Cheat Sheet

  1. What is an idiom? - Idioms are quirky phrases whose meanings can't be deduced from the individual words - think "spill the beans" meaning to reveal a secret. They sprinkle personality into your speech and writing, so spotting them is a must for any language lover. EBSCO Idioms 101
    2. EBSCO Idioms 101
  2. Discover cultural origins - Many idioms grew from traditions or trades, like "run‑of‑the‑mill," which originally described the average quality of goods straight off factory lines. Tracing these backstories reveals fascinating tidbits about history and society. Teaching Students about Idioms
    3. Teaching Students about Idioms
  3. Learn common idioms - Familiarize yourself with everyday gems such as "jump the gun" for acting prematurely or "break the ice" for easing tension. Building a solid idiom bank boosts both comprehension and flair in conversation. SAGE Journals Idiom Study
    4. SAGE Journals Idiom Study
  4. Practice in sentences - Use new idioms in your own examples: "She jumped the gun by announcing the trip before tickets were booked." Playing with context cements your grasp and helps you avoid awkward missteps. SAGE Journals Idiom Practice
    5. SAGE Journals Idiom Practice
  5. Explore historical context - Dive into how "flying off the handle" referred to poor‑quality axes whose heads would literally fly off. Knowing the backstory turns each saying into a mini‑history lesson. EBSCO Idiom Origins
    6. EBSCO Idiom Origins
  6. Avoid turning clichés into yawns - Overused idioms like "fit as a fiddle" can lose their punch when you hear them daily. Mix classics with fresh expressions to keep your language lively and memorable. EBSCO Idiom Clichés
    7. EBSCO Idiom Clichés
  7. Categorize by image - Some idioms paint pictures of people ("on cloud nine"), objects ("under the microscope"), or actions ("hit the sack"). Grouping them helps you recall and deploy them more quickly. EBSCO Idiom Types
    8. EBSCO Idiom Types
  8. Spot phonological quirks - Idioms often stress unexpected words, like "learn the hard way," with emphasis on "hard." Noticing these patterns improves your pronunciation and listening skills. EBSCO Sounds & Idioms
    9. EBSCO Sounds & Idioms
  9. Use context clues - When you hit an unfamiliar idiom, scan surrounding words for hints - "She's skating on thin ice" implies risk, even if "skating" seems out of place. This detective work boosts retention and comprehension. SAGE Idiom Comprehension
    10. SAGE Idiom Comprehension
  10. Play idiom games - Group discussions, role‑playing, or drawing literal scenes of idioms can turn study sessions into mini‑adventures. Engaging multiple senses ensures these colorful phrases stick in your brain. Pedagogic Idiom Activities
    11. Pedagogic Idiom Activities
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