What is an Idiom?—Let's Practice

What is an Idiom?—Let's Practice exercise

• Decide whether or not these are idioms.

  Hints

  An idiom is not literal, it does not describe the actual behavior or person.

  Think, does the sentence mean exactly what is says, or is it an expression?

  An idiom is an expression that could be explained in another way. For example, It's raining cats and dogs is an idiom, it means that it is raining heavily.

  Solution

  • His eyes were bigger than his belly. Yes, this is an idiom. It means that he thought he could eat more than he actually could.
  • They were extremely funny. No, this is the literal meaning.
  • It was a piece of cake. Yes, this is an idiom. It means that it was very easy.
  • The soccer game was exciting. No, this is the literal meaning.

• What does the idiom mean?

  Hints

  If you hit the nail on the head, you are very exact in doing something.

  If a person tricks someone, they might say they were pulling their leg.

  Solution

  This table shows the correctly matched idioms with their meanings.

• Make the correct idiom.

  Hints

  Try each word in the parenthesis and say the sentence aloud. Do any of the phrases sound familiar?

  Use the words given as options to check the correct spellings.

  Solution

  She was so happy, she was on cloud nine.

  They decided to take a risk and throw caution to the wind.

  Other chances will come along, there are plenty more fish in the sea.

• Are these idioms?

  Hints

  Is the phrase a literal meaning? Or is it an expression used to describe something else?

  If the phrase is literal and means exactly what it says, it is not an idiom.

  Solution

  1. It's the calm before the storm. Yes
  2. As fit as a fiddle. Yes
  3. Every cloud has a silver lining. Yes
  4. In the winter, it gets cold. No
  5. The sea is full of many sea life. No

• Complete the sentences with the correct idiom.

  Hints

  Which of the idioms sound like they are allowing you to have the control? This means it is up to you.

  Which of the idioms sound like letting a secret out? Do any of the examples let something out?

  Solution

  If you let the secret out, you let the cat out of the bag.

  If he makes one more mistake he will be in trouble, he is on thin ice.

  It is completely up to you, the ball is in your court.

• Complete the idioms.

  Hints

  What is the front of a book called? This is what we shouldn't judge it by.

  Look at the image of the boy running. What can you see that he is running as fast as?

  When you are tired, would you call it a morning or night?

  Solution

  Don't judge a book by its cover. This means that we shouldn't judge something based on appearances and it is what's on the inside that counts.

  Be quick and run like the wind. This means to run very quickly.

  I'm tired. I'm going to call it a night. This means to leave or go to bed.