Welcome to our ultimate English Idioms Challenge! Idioms are phrases where the words together have a meaning that is different from the dictionary definitions of the individual words. Mastering them is key to sounding like a native speaker.
We've created a fun, interactive quiz with 100 common English idioms to test your skills.
How it works:
Read the sentence and guess the meaning of the idiom in bold.
Click on the option you think is correct for instant feedback.
New Feature: After you answer, a box will appear explaining the idiom's meaning!
Your score will be updated in real-time in the scorecard at the bottom.
Ready to put your knowledge to the test? Let's get started!
1. If something is a piece of cake, it is:
Meaning: "A piece of cake" refers to a task or job that is simple to accomplish.
2. What does it mean to spill the beans?
Meaning: To "spill the beans" means to disclose information that was supposed to be kept secret.
3. If you tell someone to break a leg, you are:
Meaning: "Break a leg" is a theatrical superstition. It's a way of wishing a performer good luck without saying the words "good luck," which are considered bad luck.
4. When someone says it's raining cats and dogs, they mean:
Meaning: "Raining cats and dogs" is an idiom used to describe a particularly heavy downpour or rainstorm.
5. To bite the bullet means to:
Meaning: To "bite the bullet" means to face a painful or unpleasant situation with determination and bravery. It is said to originate from the practice of having wounded soldiers bite on a bullet during surgery without anesthesia.
6. What does it mean to hit the nail on the head?
Meaning: To "hit the nail on the head" means to say or do something that is precisely correct or accurate.
7. If an event happens once in a blue moon, it happens:
Meaning: "Once in a blue moon" refers to an event that occurs very infrequently. A "blue moon" is the second full moon in a single calendar month, which is a rare occurrence.
8. What are you doing if you are barking up the wrong tree?
Meaning: "Barking up the wrong tree" means you are mistaken about the cause of a problem or are trying to achieve something in the wrong way. The correct answer here includes all listed scenarios.
9. If something costs an arm and a leg, it is:
Meaning: If something "costs an arm and a leg," it is extremely expensive.
10. To let the cat out of the bag means to:
Meaning: To "let the cat out of the bag" is to accidentally reveal a secret that was meant to be concealed.
11. If you see eye to eye with someone, you:
Meaning: To "see eye to eye" means to be in full agreement with someone on a particular issue.
12. A person who is a bull in a china shop is:
Meaning: This idiom describes someone who is very clumsy or awkward, especially in a delicate situation where their actions are likely to cause damage.
13. To jump the gun means to:
Meaning: "Jumping the gun" means to do or say something before the appropriate time. It comes from athletics, where a runner starts before the starter's pistol is fired.
14. What does it mean to hear it on the grapevine?
Meaning: If you "hear something on the grapevine," you learn about it through informal, person-to-person communication (gossip or rumor) rather than an official announcement.
15. Someone who has a chip on their shoulder is:
Meaning: This idiom describes a person who is constantly angry or resentful because they feel they have been treated unfairly in the past.
16. To take something with a grain of salt means to:
Meaning: To "take something with a grain of salt" (or 'pinch of salt') means to be skeptical about it and not accept it as completely true.
17. The phrase the elephant in the room refers to:
Meaning: "The elephant in the room" is a major, obvious issue that everyone is aware of but chooses to ignore because it is socially or emotionally difficult to address.
18. If you add insult to injury, you:
Meaning: To "add insult to injury" is to worsen an already unfavorable situation, often by saying or doing something that causes further offense or harm.
19. What is a blessing in disguise?
Meaning: A "blessing in disguise" is an apparent misfortune that ultimately has a positive outcome.
20. If you are on the same page with someone, you:
Meaning: To be "on the same page" means to have a shared understanding or to be in agreement. It's often used in collaborative settings.
21. To burn the midnight oil means to:
Meaning: To "burn the midnight oil" means to study or work long hours late into the night. The phrase comes from a time when people used oil lamps for light.
22. When you get a taste of your own medicine, you:
Meaning: This idiom means to receive the same negative treatment that you have been giving to other people.
23. If you can't judge a book by its cover, you shouldn't:
Meaning: This is a metaphorical phrase that means one should not judge the worth or value of someone or something solely by its external appearance.
24. To be caught red-handed means to be:
Meaning: To be "caught red-handed" means to be caught while committing a crime or doing something wrong. The term refers to being caught with the victim's blood on one's hands.
25. The last straw refers to:
Meaning: "The last straw" (or "the straw that broke the camel's back") is the final annoyance or problem that leads to a loss of patience or the collapse of a situation.
26. What does it mean to play it by ear?
Meaning: To "play it by ear" means to handle a situation in a spontaneous way, without a fixed plan, making decisions as events unfold.
27. A person who is on the fence is:
Meaning: Someone who is "on the fence" is unable or unwilling to make a decision between two options.
28. If you throw in the towel, you:
Meaning: To "throw in the towel" means to surrender or admit defeat. The phrase comes from boxing, where a fighter's corner would throw a towel into the ring to signal they were forfeiting the match.
29. The idiom the ball is in your court means:
Meaning: This idiom, from sports like tennis, means that it is now someone else's responsibility to make the next move or decision.
30. Someone who is feeling under the weather is:
Meaning: To be "under the weather" is a common expression for feeling unwell, sick, or indisposed.
31. If you go the extra mile, you:
Meaning: To "go the extra mile" means to do more than what is expected of you; to make a greater effort.
32. To cut corners means to:
Meaning: To "cut corners" means to do something in the easiest, cheapest, or fastest way, often by sacrificing quality or ignoring rules.
33. If you let sleeping dogs lie, you:
Meaning: This idiom advises against stirring up trouble by reminding someone of a past issue or conflict that has been forgotten.
34. What is a wild goose chase?
Meaning: A "wild goose chase" is a pursuit of something that is unattainable or doesn't exist, leading to a waste of time and effort.
35. To sit on the sidelines means to:
Meaning: To "sit on the sidelines" means to be an observer rather than an active participant in a situation.
36. What is a fish out of water?
Meaning: A "fish out of water" is someone who feels awkward or out of place because they are in a completely new and different environment.
37. If you are green with envy, you are:
Meaning: To be "green with envy" means to be extremely jealous of someone's success or possessions.
38. To make a mountain out of a molehill means to:
Meaning: This idiom means to overreact and treat a minor difficulty as if it were a major crisis.
39. What is the tip of the iceberg?
Meaning: "The tip of the iceberg" refers to the small, observable part of a much larger, hidden issue or situation, just as most of an iceberg is underwater.
40. If you are on cloud nine, you are:
Meaning: To be "on cloud nine" is to be in a state of euphoric happiness.
41. To burn bridges means to:
Meaning: To "burn bridges" means to act in a way that destroys any possibility of returning to a former situation or relationship.
42. A dime a dozen means something is:
Meaning: If things are a "dime a dozen," they are extremely common, easy to get, and therefore not very valuable.
43. To bite off more than you can chew means to:
Meaning: This idiom means to try to do something that is too difficult or requires more resources than one has.
44. A doubting Thomas is someone who:
Meaning: A "doubting Thomas" is a person who refuses to believe something without direct, physical evidence. It refers to the Apostle Thomas, who doubted Jesus's resurrection until he could see and touch the wounds.
45. If you have a change of heart, you:
Meaning: To have a "change of heart" means to alter one's feelings, opinion, or plan concerning something.
46. To get out of hand means to:
Meaning: If a situation "gets out of hand," it becomes chaotic and uncontrollable.
47. What is a hot potato?
Meaning: A "hot potato" is a sensitive or controversial topic that people avoid dealing with because it is awkward or politically risky.
48. To miss the boat means to:
Meaning: To "miss the boat" means to lose a chance or opportunity by being too slow to act.
49. If you are on the ball, you are:
Meaning: Someone who is "on the ball" is knowledgeable, focused, and performs their duties effectively and efficiently.
50. To sit tight means to:
Meaning: To "sit tight" means to wait for something to happen without taking any action, often through a period of uncertainty.
51. What does it mean to pull someone's leg?
Meaning: If you "pull someone's leg," you are tricking or teasing them in a lighthearted, humorous way.
52. A method to my madness refers to:
Meaning: This phrase, from Shakespeare's Hamlet, means that although someone's actions may seem strange or crazy, there is a rational plan and purpose behind them.
53. To cross that bridge when you come to it means to:
Meaning: This idiom advises against worrying about a potential future problem and instead suggests dealing with it if and when it occurs.
54. A penny for your thoughts is a way of asking:
Meaning: "A penny for your thoughts" is a friendly and informal way to ask someone what is on their mind, especially when they seem quiet or preoccupied.
55. If you are all ears, you are:
Meaning: To be "all ears" means you are giving your full attention to what someone is about to say.
56. What does it mean to beat around the bush?
Meaning: To "beat around the bush" means to delay or avoid discussing a difficult or important subject directly.
57. Every cloud has a silver lining suggests that:
Meaning: This is a proverb of hope, meaning that even in a difficult or sad situation, there is always a hopeful or positive aspect.
58. If you go cold turkey on a habit, you:
Meaning: To "go cold turkey" means to abruptly stop an addictive or habitual behavior, such as smoking or drinking, rather than cutting down slowly.
59. To have a bigger fish to fry means to:
Meaning: If you have "a bigger fish to fry," you cannot be concerned with a minor issue because you have a more significant matter to attend to.
60. What is a rule of thumb?
Meaning: A "rule of thumb" is a broadly accurate guide or principle, based on practice and experience rather than precise scientific measurement.
61. If you keep your chin up, you should:
Meaning: This is an expression of encouragement, telling someone to stay brave and optimistic in the face of adversity.
62. To be on pins and needles means to be:
Meaning: Someone who is "on pins and needles" is in a state of nervous anticipation or anxiety, waiting for something to happen.
63. A close shave refers to:
Meaning: A "close shave" is a situation where an accident or disaster was very nearly avoided.
64. If you read between the lines, you:
Meaning: To "read between the lines" means to infer a meaning that is not explicitly stated but is suggested or hinted at.
65. Someone with a heart of gold is:
Meaning: A person with a "heart of gold" is exceptionally kind, caring, and generous.
66. To hit the books means to:
Meaning: To "hit the books" is a common slang term for studying, especially with great intensity.
67. If something is up in the air, it is:
Meaning: When a plan or issue is "up in the air," it means no final decision has been made about it yet.
68. What is a storm in a teacup?
Meaning: A "storm in a teacup" (or 'tempest in a teapot' in American English) is a great deal of fuss or excitement over a trivial matter.
69. To turn a blind eye to something means to:
Meaning: To "turn a blind eye" is to knowingly ignore facts, evidence of wrongdoing, or a problem that you should address.
70. If you are on top of the world, you feel:
Meaning: To be "on top of the world" means to feel wonderful, ecstatic, or as if you have achieved great success.
71. To call it a day means to:
Meaning: To "call it a day" means to decide to stop working or doing an activity for the rest of the day.
72. What is a white lie?
Meaning: A "white lie" is a minor, untruthful statement made to avoid hurting someone's feelings or to be polite.
73. If two people are like chalk and cheese, they are:
Meaning: This British idiom is used to describe two people or things that are fundamentally different and have no similarities.
74. To run out of steam means to:
Meaning: To "run out of steam" means to lose the energy or interest needed to continue doing something, originating from the age of steam engines.
75. To get something straight from the horse's mouth means to:
Meaning: To get information "straight from the horse's mouth" means to hear it from the person who has direct knowledge of it, the most reliable source.
76. If you have butterflies in your stomach, you are feeling:
Meaning: This idiom describes the fluttering, nervous feeling one gets in their stomach when they are anxious or excited about something.
77. What does it mean to be in the same boat?
Meaning: If people are "in the same boat," they are all facing the same challenges or unpleasant circumstances.
78. A couch potato is someone who:
Meaning: A "couch potato" is a person who lives a sedentary lifestyle, spending a great deal of time sitting or lying on a couch, usually watching TV.
79. To cry wolf means to:
Meaning: To "cry wolf" is to call for help when you don't need it, causing others to not believe you when you are actually in danger. It comes from Aesop's fable "The Boy Who Cried Wolf."
80. If an idea is not rocket science, it is:
Meaning: This phrase is used to emphasize that a task or concept is simple and not as complicated as building a rocket.
81. To have a bone to pick with someone means:
Meaning: If you have "a bone to pick" with someone, you want to talk to them about something they have done that has annoyed you.
82. The icing on the cake refers to:
Meaning: "The icing on the cake" is an extra positive thing that makes a good situation even better.
83. To hit the road means to:
Meaning: To "hit the road" is an informal way of saying it's time to depart or start a trip.
84. A pain in the neck is someone or something that is:
Meaning: This idiom is a less offensive way of describing a person or situation that is extremely irritating.
85. If you make a long story short, you:
Meaning: This phrase is used to transition to the conclusion of a story or explanation, omitting the less important details.
86. To speak of the devil is said when:
Meaning: "Speak of the devil" is a shortened version of "Speak of the devil and he doth appear." It's an expression used when a person who was the subject of conversation shows up unexpectedly.
87. What is a devil's advocate?
Meaning: A "devil's advocate" is a person who takes a position they do not necessarily agree with, just to challenge an argument and stimulate discussion.
88. To face the music means to:
Meaning: To "face the music" means to accept responsibility and criticism for something wrong you have done.
89. If something is a drop in the ocean, it is:
Meaning: A "drop in the ocean" (or 'a drop in the bucket') is a tiny, inconsequential amount compared to what is needed or expected.
90. To have your head in the clouds means to:
Meaning: This idiom describes someone who is impractical, absent-minded, or out of touch with everyday life because they are lost in their own thoughts or fantasies.
91. What is a golden opportunity?
Meaning: A "golden opportunity" is an excellent and ideal chance to do something that may not come again.
92. To hold your horses is a way of saying:
Meaning: To "hold your horses" is an informal command to wait, slow down, or be more patient before acting.
93. If a plan goes back to the drawing board, it means:
Meaning: To "go back to the drawing board" means to start planning something again from the beginning because the first plan was unsuccessful.
94. A loose cannon refers to:
Meaning: A "loose cannon" is someone whose uncontrolled or unpredictable behavior is likely to cause problems for others.
95. To be in hot water means to be:
Meaning: To be "in hot water" means to be in a difficult situation where you are likely to be punished or criticized.
96. If you have a gut feeling, you have:
Meaning: A "gut feeling" is a personal, intuitive feeling or belief that you hold without a logical or rational reason.
97. To put all your eggs in one basket means to:
Meaning: This idiom advises against concentrating all of your resources or efforts into one single area, as you could lose everything if that one thing fails.
98. To find your feet means to:
Meaning: To "find your feet" is to grow in confidence and become comfortable in a new job, place, or situation.
99. Someone who is long in the tooth is:
Meaning: "Long in the tooth" is a colloquial way of saying someone is old. It originates from the fact that a horse's gums recede with age, making their teeth appear longer.
100. If something is the best of both worlds, it:
Meaning: To have "the best of both worlds" is to enjoy the benefits and advantages of two different situations or things without any of the disadvantages.
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