Grade 6 Primary English – Idiomatic expressions Quiz

1. I can’t afford this Channel purse! It __________!

cat out of the dog
is a piece of cake
very few coins
arm arm and a leg
Explanation:

2. I can’t believe you _____. Now he knows about the surprise birthday party!Ā 

broke a leg
let the cat out of the box
allowed him to know
killed two birds with one stone
Explanation:

3. I don’t really like going out to the mall anymore. Not in this pandemic. I only go _______.

when I speak of the devil
when pigs fly
once in a blue moon
When I feel like
Explanation:

4. I’m sorry I can’t come into work today. I’m ________. I have a sore throat and runny nose.

seeing him eye to eye
breaking a leg
not going today
feeling under the weather
Explanation:

5. have been trying to figure this out for ages. Thanks so much, you’re right. You _______.

beat around the Bush
cut corners
killed two birds with one stone
hit the nail on the head
Explanation:

6. The science test was easier than some of the homework we had. Oh boy, it sure was a ______.

an arm and a leg
the best of both worlds
once in a blue moon
piece of cake
Explanation:

7. She may seem strict but underneath she hasĀ a heart of gold

She is very good and kind to other people
She is kind to her friends and family
She is really mean
hard heart
Explanation:

8. I can’t afford this purse! It __________. I won’t be able to pay my rent!

costs an arm and a leg
let the cat out of the bag
is a piece of cake
is the best of both worlds
Explanation:

9. His birthday was supposed to be a surprise! I can’t believe you _____. Now he knows!

killed two birds with one stone
costs an arm and a leg
let the cat out of the bag.
broke a leg
Explanation:

10. Ha! John has been promising to paint the house for five years…. Maybe when _______.

when pigs fly
broke a leg
he hit the nail on its head
once in a blue moon
Explanation:

11. Yeah, it’ll _______. I need to sign some papers at Jenny’s school anyway so i’ll pick her up for you too.

kill two birds with one stone
once in a blue moon
feel under the weather
add insult to injury
Explanation:

12. I don’t really like going out to bars anymore. I only go _______.

when I speak of the devil
add insult to injury
when pigs fly
once in a blue moon
Explanation:

13. They tried ________ when installing the pipes for the house and now we have leaks only one month after purchasing it!

to add insult to injury
breaking a leg
to kill two birds with one stone
cut corners
Explanation:

14. We missed our flight to Paris because the connecting flight was late and to ______, they made us pay for a new ticket as if it was our fault!

hit the nail on the head
cut corners
add insult to injury
arm arm and a leg
Explanation:

15. I can’t wait to see you perform on stage tonight! ______!

Hit the nail on its head
It's a piece of cake
to add insult to injury
break a leg
Explanation:

16. Jane is just never on time to work, it’s really annoying. O wow, ______ , here she comes.

speak of the devil
let the cat out of the bag
let the cat out of the box
it costs an arm and a leg
Explanation:

17. So we’re going to London, then Munich, then we will fly out of Athens, right? Great. I’m so glad to be traveling with someone I _______ with.

feel under the weather
don't judge a book by its cover
see eye to eye
is a piece of cake
Explanation:

18. Wow, she found her dream man and has now landed an amazing job. She really does have ______.

hit the nail on the head
very few coins
the best of both worlds
judged the book by its cover
Explanation:

19. OK, she might not be the most attractive but _________. I’m sure she is a sweetheart.

don't hit the nail on the head
let the cat out of the box
don't judge the book by its cover
don't kill two birds with one stone
Explanation:

20. I have been trying to figure this out for ages. Thanks so much, you’re right. You _______.

very few coins
killed two birds with one stone
hit the nail on the head
killed two birds with one stone
Explanation:

21. What does 'speak of the devil' mean?

To ignore someone
To talk about someone who is not present
To talk about someone who suddenly appears
To talk about the devil
Explanation:

The idiom 'speak of the devil' means to mention someone and then they appear shortly afterwards.

22. What does 'raining cats and dogs' mean?

Snowing heavily
Sunny weather
Hailing
Raining heavily
Explanation:

The idiom 'raining cats and dogs' means raining heavily.

23. What does 'hit the nail on the head' mean?

To be close to the target
To avoid the target
To hit the target accurately
To miss the target
Explanation:

The idiom 'hit the nail on the head' means to describe precisely or accurately.

24. What does 'once in a blue moon' mean?

Rarely
Every day
Often
Every hour
Explanation:

The idiom 'once in a blue moon' means something that happens very rarely.

25. What does 'cost an arm and a leg' mean?

Affordable
Very expensive
Very cheap
Moderately priced
Explanation:

The idiom 'cost an arm and a leg' means something is very costly or expensive.

26. What does 'kick the bucket' mean?

Celebrating
Dying
Sleeping
Traveling
Explanation:

The idiom 'kick the bucket' is slang for dying or passing away.

27. What does 'by the skin of your teeth' mean?

Barely
Easily
Successfully
Accidentally
Explanation:

The idiom 'by the skin of your teeth' means to just barely succeed in doing something.

28. What does 'cost an arm and a leg' mean?

Affordable
Very cheap
Moderately priced
Very expensive
Explanation:

The idiom 'cost an arm and a leg' means something is very costly or expensive.

29. What does 'burn the midnight oil' mean?

To study all night
To sleep early
To skip studying
To wake up early
Explanation:

The idiom 'burn the midnight oil' means to work or study late into the night.

30. What does 'hold your horses' mean?

To let go
To be patient
To hurry up
To start running
Explanation:

The idiom 'hold your horses' means to be patient and wait.

31. What does 'piece of cake' mean?

Difficult task
Unnecessary task
Cooking activity
Easy task
Explanation:

The idiom 'piece of cake' means something that is very easy to do.

32. What does 'best of both worlds' mean?

Having the worst options
Having the best options from two different things
Having no options
Having one option only
Explanation:

The idiom 'best of both worlds' means enjoying the advantages of two different choices simultaneously.

33. What does the idiom 'a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush' mean?

Birds are valuable creatures
It is not wise to chase after birds
A bird in the bush is better than two in the hand
It is better to have something small that is certain, than to have the possibility of something better but uncertain
Explanation:

This idiom means that it is better to have something definite that is secure, rather than to risk losing it by trying to acquire something better.

34. What does the idiom 'don't count your chickens before they hatch' mean?

Don't trust chickens
Counting chickens is bad luck
Don't make plans that depend on something good happening before it actually happens
Count your eggs carefully
Explanation:

This idiom means that one should not rely on something that has not yet happened, as it may not come to fruition.

35. What does the idiom 'hit the nail on the head' mean?

Nail the head
To hurt someone intentionally
To do something well and accurately
Hit nails with a hammer
Explanation:

This idiom means that someone has managed to describe a situation perfectly or to find the right solution to a problem.

36. What does the idiom 'barking up the wrong tree' mean?

Dogs barking loudly
Barking at trees is fun
Looking for something in the wrong place
Being on the right track
Explanation:

This idiom means that someone is pursuing a mistaken or misguided course of action.

37. What does the idiom 'burn the midnight oil' mean?

Oil is valuable
Set fire to oil
Oil is bad for the environment
Work late into the night
Explanation:

This idiom means to work late into the night, especially studying or working on a project.

38. What does the idiom 'out of the blue' mean?

Coming from the water
Out of options
Blue skies are good
Unexpectedly
Explanation:

This idiom means that something happens suddenly and unexpectedly, without any warning or preparation.

39. What does the idiom 'cost an arm and a leg' mean?

To lose a limb
Arms and legs are expensive
To be very expensive
To buy someone's arm and leg
Explanation:

This idiom means that something is very costly or expensive.

40. What does the idiom 'raining cats and dogs' mean?

To have pets in the rain
Rain with cats and dogs
To go fishing in bad weather
To rain heavily
Explanation:

This idiom means that it is raining very heavily.

41. What does the idiom 'piece of cake' mean?

Something very easy
Something extremely difficult
Cake is easy to bake
To share cake
Explanation:

This idiom means that something is very easy to do.

42. What does the idiom 'once in a blue moon' mean?

Every full moon
Many moons
Rarely or infrequently
Blues music events
Explanation:

This idiom means that something happens very rarely or not often at all.

43. What does the idiom 'when pigs fly' mean?

Flying pigs are real
Pigs can talk
Impossible or unlikely to happen
Pigs are good at flying
Explanation:

This idiom means that something is impossible or extremely unlikely to happen.

44. What does the idiom 'kick the bucket' mean?

To die
To move a bucket
To play a game with buckets
Kick a bucket
Explanation:

This idiom means to die or to pass away.

45. What does the idiom 'don't put all your eggs in one basket' mean?

Don't risk everything on one plan or action
Eggs are valuable possessions
Don't gather eggs in one basket
Eggs in baskets are safe
Explanation:

This idiom means that one should not put all their resources or hopes in one possibility, as there is a risk of losing everything.

46. What does the idiom 'skeletons in the closet' mean?

To be afraid of closets
To have secrets or things from the past that are hidden and kept secret
Closet organization
Closets filled with skeletons
Explanation:

This idiom means that someone has hidden secrets or embarrassing things from their past that they do not want others to know about.

47. What does the idiom 'break the ice' mean?

To prevent ice from forming
To make a situation less tense or awkward by starting a conversation or social interaction
To escape from an icy situation
To break ice cubes
Explanation:

This idiom means to initiate a conversation or activity to make people feel more relaxed and comfortable.

48. What does the idiom 'silver lining' mean?

To have a good side or aspect to a bad situation
Lining made of silver
Clouds made of silver
To wear silver accessories
Explanation:

This idiom means that even in a difficult or unfortunate situation, there is a positive or hopeful element to be found.

49. What does the idiom 'jump on the bandwagon' mean?

To criticize a popular trend or activity
To fall off a bandwagon
Jumping on a moving bandwagon
To join a popular trend or activity
Explanation:

This idiom means to start doing something that is currently popular or fashionable, often without really thinking about it.

50. What does the idiom 'make a long story short' mean?

To shorten a story
To summarize a lengthy story or explanation
To make a story more interesting
To make a story longer
Explanation:

This idiom means to give only the most important parts of a long story or explanation.

51. What does the idiom 'ball is in your court' mean?

To give someone a ball
Playing sports
To have control or responsibility in a situation
To play basketball
Explanation:

This idiom means that someone has the responsibility for making a decision or taking action in a particular situation.

52. What does the idiom 'needle in a haystack' mean?

Something that is very easy to find
Poking needles in a haystack
Haystacks are full of needles
Something that is very difficult or impossible to find
Explanation:

This idiom means that something is extremely hard to find or locate.

53. What does the idiom 'be all ears' mean?

To be able to hear very well
To be very quiet
To listen attentively
To have many ears
Explanation:

This idiom means that someone is eager and willing to listen to what someone has to say.

54. What does the idiom 'keep your chin up' mean?

To keep your face clean
To remain cheerful in difficult circumstances
To hold your chin up high
To keep looking down
Explanation:

This idiom means to stay positive and optimistic in tough or challenging situations.

55. What does the idiom 'let the cat out of the bag' mean?

Release a cat from a bag
To accidentally reveal a secret
To play with a cat
To keep secrets
Explanation:

This idiom means to disclose a secret or reveal something that was meant to be kept hidden.

56. What does the idiom 'hit the hay' mean?

To feed hay to animals
To dance on hay
Hitting a pile of hay
To go to bed or go to sleep
Explanation:

This idiom means to go to bed or to go to sleep.

57. What does the idiom 'be on cloud nine' mean?

Being ninth in a competition
To feel extremely happy or joyful
Being on a cloud
To be a cloud enthusiast
Explanation:

This idiom means to be in a state of complete happiness or bliss.

58. What does the idiom 'wear your heart on your sleeve' mean?

To keep your emotions hidden
Wearing clothes with hearts on them
To wear your emotions literally
To be very open and show your feelings to others easily
Explanation:

This idiom means that someone makes their feelings or emotions apparent and does not hide them from others.

59. What does the idiom 'burn bridges' mean?

To build bridges
To destroy relationships or connections that could be important in the future
To walk across a burning bridge
Setting bridges on fire
Explanation:

This idiom means to do or say something that will make it impossible to return to a previous positive relationship or situation.